How to Pronounce Vanilla

To pronounce "vanilla", say VAN-ill-a — 3 syllables, IPA /vəˈnɛlə/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

vanilla

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Accent

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Speed

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Syllables

Letters

/vəˈnɛlə/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “vanilla”

"vanilla" has 3 syllables: van-ill-a. It rhymes with scintilla and guerrilla, if that helps it stick.

What does vanilla mean?

noun

Any tropical, climbing orchid of the genus Vanilla (especially Vanilla planifolia), bearing podlike fruit yielding an extract used in flavoring food or in perfumes.
The fruit or bean of the vanilla plant.

adjective

(of flavor, etc.) Of vanilla.
(retronym) Standard, plain, default, unmodified, basic.
“vanilla JavaScript”

Synonyms

imitation vanilla vanilla bean vanilla extract normophilic vanillar

Words that rhyme with vanilla

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

scintilla guerrilla manila maxilla attila scilla flotilla guerilla psylla cyrilla milla pilau

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "vanilla"?▾

"Vanilla" has 3 syllables: van · ill · a.

What is the IPA transcription of "vanilla"?▾

The IPA transcription of "vanilla" is /vəˈnɛlə/.

What does "vanilla" mean?▾

Vanilla: Any tropical, climbing orchid of the genus Vanilla (especially Vanilla planifolia), bearing podlike fruit yielding an extract used in flavoring food or in perfumes.

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