Learn How to Pronounce clown

Not sure how to say a word? Try the Promova pronunciation tool for free and learn how to pronounce anything in English correctly. Discover over 100,000 words and easily learn English pronunciation online!

Find your word:

Find how to pronounce a word and practice it in our free word pronouncer for English learners!

How to pronounce:

Listen to the pronunciation:

clown

Definition:

(nou) a rude or vulgar fool (nou) a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior

Phonetic Transcription:

klaʊn

Examples:

The clown derided the officers.

He's the crazy clown in the family.

The clown made silly jokes.

Learn more about:
clown

Related Words:

fool

How to perfect your pronunciation of: clown

Learn Individual Sounds

Break clown down into individual sounds such as klaʊn. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

Copy Others

Use the tools above to find out how different people say clown in their accents, then try to repeat after them.

Pick an Accent

Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

Record Yourself

Say clown in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with clown.

Get a Native Tutor

Improve your pronunciation with native speakers! Practice with American, British, and Australian teachers on Promova.

Common mistakes of clown pronunciation

Misplacing the vowel sound: Some learners pronounce "clown" with a short "o" sound, like in "cat." This leads to "clawn" [klɑn] instead of the correct pronunciation [klaʊn]. Tip: Focus on the diphthong "ou" which sounds like "ow" in "how."
Ignoring the "c" sound: A common mistake is to drop the initial "c," resulting in "lown" [laʊn]. This changes the word entirely. Tip: Always pronounce the "c" clearly to maintain the word's identity as [klaʊn].
Stressing the wrong syllable: Some might incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "clown" as [kləʊn]. The correct stress is on the first syllable: [ˈklaʊn]. Tip: Practice saying "clown" with emphasis on the "c" to ensure correct stress.
Overemphasizing the "n": Learners sometimes exaggerate the "n" sound, leading to a nasalized pronunciation, such as "clow-n" [klaʊn̩]. The "n" should be pronounced normally. Tip: Keep the "n" soft and connected to the vowel for a smoother sound.
Confusing with similar words: Some may confuse "clown" with "crown," pronouncing it as [kraʊn]. This alters the meaning completely. Tip: Pay attention to the initial "cl" sound to distinguish between "clown" and "crown."

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "clown" in American English?

In American English, "clown" is pronounced as /klaʊn/. The vowel sound is a diphthong, which means it combines two sounds: the "a" in "cat" and the "ou" in "out."

Is there a difference in pronunciation of "clown" between American and British English?

The pronunciation of "clown" is the same in both American and British English, /klaʊn/. There are no significant variations in the way the word is pronounced across these dialects.

What syllable stress does the word "clown" have?

The word "clown" has one syllable, so there is no additional syllable stress to consider. It is pronounced with a single stressed syllable, /klaʊn/.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "clown"?

A common mistake is mispronouncing the vowel sound, often saying it like the "ow" in "cow." Remember to use the diphthong /aʊ/, which is crucial for correct pronunciation.