How do you pronounce "hippopotamus"?

In American English: /ˌhɪpəˈpɑːtəməs/ (hip-uh-PAHT-uhm-uhs). In British English: /hˌɪpəpˈɒtəməs/ (h-ip-UHP-ot-uhm). In Canadian English: /ˌhɪpəˈpɑːtəməs/ (hip-uh-PAHT-uhm-uhs). In Australian English: /hˈɪpəpˌɒtaməs/ (H-ip-uhp-ot).

Is "hippopotamus" pronounced differently in American and British English?

Yes. In American English it's pronounced /ˌhɪpəˈpɑːtəməs/ (hip-uh-PAHT-uhm-uhs), while in British English it's /hˌɪpəpˈɒtəməs/ (h-ip-UHP-ot-uhm).

How to Pronounce "hippopotamus"

🗣️pronounce.how

hippopotamus

regional

/ˌhɪpəˈpɑːtəməs/

hip-uh-PAHT-uhm-uhs

Syllable Breakdown

hɪph·əip·pɑːtpop·əmota·əsmus

Source

90%confidence📘 CMU Pronouncing Dictionary v0.7b

All Variants

Browse by Letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Edit on GitHub Report an issue

Last updated: 2026-02-14