How to Pronounce Shotgun

To pronounce "shotgun", say SHOTG-un — 2 syllables, IPA /ˈʃɒtɡʌn/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

shotgun

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Accent

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Speed

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Syllables

Letters

/ˈʃɒtɡʌn/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “shotgun”

"shotgun" has 2 syllables: shotg-un. It rhymes with run and shun, if that helps it stick.

What does shotgun mean?

noun

A gun which fires loads typically consisting of small metal balls, called shot, from a cartridge.
“Meat was cooked up within hours after the hunter killed the deer with his shotgun.”
The front passenger seat in a vehicle, next to the driver; so called because the position of the shotgun-armed guard on a horse-drawn stage-coach, wagon train, or gold transport was next to the driver on a forward-mounted bench seat.
“I call shotgun! (I claim the right to sit in the passenger seat.)”

verb

(smoking) To inhale from a pipe or other smoking device, followed shortly by an exhalation into someone else’s mouth.
To verbally lay claim to (something)
“I got a day off because I shotgunned it.”

Synonyms

scattergun death seat

Words that rhyme with shotgun

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

run shun stun one sun dun gun fun homespun overdone done overrun

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "shotgun"?▾

"Shotgun" has 2 syllables: shotg · un.

What is the IPA transcription of "shotgun"?▾

The IPA transcription of "shotgun" is /ˈʃɒtɡʌn/.

What does "shotgun" mean?▾

Shotgun: A gun which fires loads typically consisting of small metal balls, called shot, from a cartridge.

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