2 syllables: Ve, to. Stress on Ve.
VEE-toh
/ˈviˌtoʊ/
Veto is pronounced VEE-toh (/ˈviˌtoʊ/). It has two syllables (Ve-to), with the stress on "Ve". A veto is a formal or political right to reject a proposal or decision, especially by a person or body with authority. It typically halts or delays action until the objection is addressed. In governance, it denotes a power to prevent legislation, often requiring a mechanism for override or negotiation.
nounA veto is a formal or political right to reject a proposal or decision, especially by a person or body with authority. It typically halts or delays action until the objection is addressed. In governance, it denotes a power to prevent legislation, often requiring a mechanism for override or negotiation.
"The president issued a veto to block the bill."
"A unanimous veto from the council stalled the project."
"The executive's veto sparked a heated debate on constitutional reform."
Pronounce as /ˈviːtoʊ/ in US English or /ˈviːtəʊ/ in UK/AU. Place stress on the first syllable. Start with a long 'ee' vowel [iː], then a quick 'to' with an open, rounded oʊ (US) or /təʊ/ (UK/AU). The second syllable is unstressed and shorter, but clearly pronounced. You’ll want a clean Yod-glide into the final vowel in US for /toʊ/; in UK/AU the second syllable often reduces slightly, giving /təʊ/ or /toʊ/. Audio resources: try listening to pronunciations on Cambridge/Oxford or Forvo using the word “veto.”
Two common errors:1) Under-stressing the first syllable or over-lengthening the second—keep the stress on VI- and a shorter, rounded final vowel. 2) Substituting a long /iː/ for /iː/ then adding an extra syllable (/ˈviːtō/). Remedy: practice with minimal pairs like ‘veto’ vs ‘video’ to lock the vowel length and final syllable shape. Use a mirror to monitor lip rounding on the final /oʊ/ or /əʊ/.
In US English you typically hear /ˈviːtoʊ/ with a full /toʊ/ diphthong and a clearly pronounced final /oʊ/. UK/AU variants often render the second syllable as /təʊ/ or /toʊ/, with less emphasis and a somewhat shorter vowel, reflecting non-rhotic tendencies and vowel quality differences. The US rhymes more with ‘video,’ while UK/AU lean toward a crisper finale. Watching region-specific dictionaries helps confirm the subtle diacritic marks for /toʊ/ vs /təʊ/ and syllable length.
The difficulty centers on the short, subdued second syllable in non-stressed contexts and the gliding diphthong in /toʊ/ or /təʊ/. English learners often mispronounce by flattening the vowel (making /tiːto/ or /viːto/). Focus on: keeping the first syllable stressed and ensuring the second syllable has a natural, compact glide into the final vowel with appropriate lip rounding. IPA cues help: /ˈviːtoʊ/ (US), /ˈviːtəʊ/ (UK/AUS).
Veto has a clear initial stressed syllable with a long high-front vowel /iː/ followed by a strong but short second syllable that ends in a distinct /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ diphthong. The second syllable is not silent; it should be articulate, just shorter than the first. Avoid truncating the second syllable too early, which leads to /viːt/ or /viːto/ without the final diphthong. IPA guidance: US /ˈviːtoʊ/, UK/AU /ˈviːtəʊ/.
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US: Rhotic accent with clear /r/ influence only in connected speech; here no /r/ involved. Vowel quality: /iː/ is tense and long; final /oʊ/ is a diphthong with a rounded lip. UK/AU: Non-rhotic; final /əʊ/ diphthong; second syllable shorter; stress remains on first syllable. Consonants: keep the /t/ crisp but not aspirated too strongly in rapid speech. Listen to native pronunciations and mimic mouth shapes. IPA references: US /ˈviːtoʊ/, UK/AU /ˈviːtəʊ/.
Veto comes from the Latin vētō meaning I forbid, rooted in verb vetāre (to forbid, prohibit). In Roman times, a veto reflected political resistance by patricians or tribunes who could block legislation proposed by the Senate. The word entered English via Medieval Latin, retaining the sense of prohibition and the authority to prevent action. Over centuries, veto expanded beyond political lawmaking to include procedural blocks in corporate, organizational, and parliamentary contexts. The concept of “veto” also appears in various forms in constitutional law globally, sometimes tied to specific offices (president, governor, monarch) and sometimes to collective bodies (councils, boards). In modern usage, the term is almost always associated with formal power rather than casual disagreement, and it frequently appears in phrases like “veto power,” “veto override,” and “sanctioned veto.” First known use in English traces to the 17th or 18th century, aligning with the broader adoption of Latin legal and political vocabulary into European languages.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Veto" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Veto"
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