English pronunciation · Words Starting with V

Vanilla Pronunciation

Vanilla is pronounced vuh-NI-luh, IPA /vəˈnɪlə/.

vuh-NI-luh

US /vəˈnɪlə/  ·  UK /vəˈnɪlə/

Syllables: vuh · NI · luh (3 syllables, stress on syllable 2)

noun and adjective: A flavouring from the pod of a tropical orchid, and by extension anything plain or standard.

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Vanilla in a Sentence

  • A teaspoon of vanilla goes in at the end.
  • We ordered two vanilla cones.
  • The contract is vanilla apart from one clause.

Common Mispronunciations of Vanilla

Not vuh-NEE-luh

The stressed vowel is the short i of pill. A long ee stretches the middle out of shape.

Not WUH-ni-luh

The v is made with the top teeth touching the bottom lip. Speakers of languages without a v often round the lips instead and produce a w.

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