How to pronounce “know”
Know is pronounced /ˈnoʊ/. It has 1 syllable. Below: the syllable split, native audio in both accents, the mistake people actually make with this word, and every individual sound in it explained.
Syllables and stress
Split it into 1 beat. It is a single beat — one vowel, said in one push of breath.
Stress pattern O — capital letters mark the stressed beats.
The common mispronunciation of “know”
✗ Often said: /ˈknaʊ/ — the spelling, read straight off the page.
✓ Actually: /ˈnoʊ/
Why the two come apart: the silent “k” in the initial “kn-” is not pronounced, even though the spelling begs you to say it; also, at least one vowel does not say what its spelling suggests — English vowel letters are not reliable here.
This is why reading English aloud from spelling alone goes wrong so often: the letters of “know” are not a reliable map of its sounds. The IPA is — each symbol stands for exactly one sound, every time.
“know” sound by sound
“know” is built out of 2 sounds. Say each one on its own first, slowly, then run them together at speed. Every sound links to a full guide with mouth position, the mistake learners make with it, and other words that use it.
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nTouch the tongue tip to the ridge behind the upper teeth, lower the soft palate, and voice the air out through the nose.
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oʊStart with mid-back, lightly rounded lips and glide toward /ʊ/, tightening the rounding as you finish.
Silent letters in “know”
Letters you write but never say — this is the single biggest reason the word trips people up:
- kThe letter “k”Silent “k” in the initial “kn-” — write it, but do not let it reach your mouth.
Words that rhyme with “know”
Same ending sound from the stressed vowel on — a good way to hear whether you have the vowel right:
Minimal pairs — words one sound away from “know”
Each of these differs from “know” by exactly one sound. If you can say both of a pair and hear the difference, that sound is under control:
Questions people ask about “know”
- How do you pronounce “know”?
- “know” is pronounced /ˈnoʊ/. Press the US or UK button above to hear it spoken.
- How many syllables are in “know”?
- “know” has 1 syllable. The stress pattern is O.
- What is the common mispronunciation of “know”?
- People read it off the spelling as /ˈknaʊ/, but it is actually /ˈnoʊ/, because the silent “k” in the initial “kn-” is not pronounced, even though the spelling begs you to say it.
- Does “know” have any silent letters?
- Yes — silent “k” in the initial “kn-”.
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