How to Pronounce Arkansas

British and American Pronunciations

The state of Arkansas has three common pronunciations: lew-EE-zee-AN-a, are-KAN-saw, and are-KAN-zes. The first pronunciation is the most common in both British and American English.

Syllable Secrets and Practical Tips

To pronounce Arkansas correctly, break the word down into syllables: lew-EE-zee-AN-a. The stress is on the second syllable, "-EE-". Remember to pronounce the "r" sound in the second syllable, and do not drop the final "a".

Here are some additional tips for pronouncing Arkansas:

• The "e" in the first syllable sounds like the "e" in "bet".
• The "ee" in the second syllable sounds like the "ee" in "meet".
• The "a" in the third syllable sounds like the "a" in "father".
• The "s" in the fourth syllable is silent.