A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Milwaukee
Pronounce Milwaukee: mil-WAW-kee. Learn the rhythm and common pitfalls.
milwaukee
mil-WAW-kee
/mɪlˈwɔːki/ · mil · waw · kee
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
Where the word comes from
The name 'Milwaukee' is believed to derive from a Native American word, likely Algonquian, meaning 'good land' or 'gathering place by the water'.
Common ways people get it wrong
- mil-WAUK-ee Some might pronounce the 'wau' like in 'walk', but the standard pronunciation uses the 'aw' sound as in 'law'.
- mil-WAH-kee The vowel sound in the second syllable is closer to 'aw' (as in 'law') than 'ah' (as in 'father').
Frequently asked
How do you say Milwaukee?
The most common pronunciation in American English is mil-WAW-kee. The stress falls on the second syllable.
Is Milwaukee pronounced with one 'L' or two?
The word is spelled with two 'L's, but both are pronounced clearly in the standard pronunciation: mil-WAW-kee.
What's the correct stress for Milwaukee?
The primary stress is on the second syllable, making it sound like mil-WAW-kee. The final syllable is unstressed.
