How to Pronounce Rainbow

To pronounce "rainbow", say RAINB-ow — 2 syllables, IPA /ˈɹeɪnbəʊ/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

rainbow

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

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Syllables

Letters

/ˈɹeɪnbəʊ/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “rainbow”

"rainbow" has 2 syllables: rainb-ow. It rhymes with apropos and show, if that helps it stick.

What does rainbow mean?

noun

A multicoloured arch in the sky, produced by prismatic refraction of light within droplets of rain in the air.
Any prismatic refraction of light showing a spectrum of colours.

verb

To brighten with, or as with, a rainbow; to pattern with the colours of the rainbow.
To take the appearance of a rainbow.

adjective

Multicolored.
Made up of several races or ethnicities, or (more broadly) of several cultural or ideological factions.

Synonyms

spectrum multipartisan multiethnic multiracial rainbowed motley multihued polychromatic

Hear “rainbow” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with rainbow

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

apropos show flow fallow although low bestow glow afterglow throw grotto beau

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "rainbow"?▾

"Rainbow" has 2 syllables: rainb · ow.

What is the IPA transcription of "rainbow"?▾

The IPA transcription of "rainbow" is /ˈɹeɪnbəʊ/.

What does "rainbow" mean?▾

Rainbow: A multicoloured arch in the sky, produced by prismatic refraction of light within droplets of rain in the air.

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