What does "New Orleans" mean?
nounA major city in Louisiana known for its Creole cuisine, jazz music, and Mardi Gras festival.
Origin of "New Orleans"
Named after the Duke of Orléans. Locals say NUH-OR-linz, not New Or-LEENS.
How to Say "New Orleans"
Say 'nyoo' like in 'new', followed by 'OR-leenz', stressing the 'OR' part. The 'OR' sounds like the start of 'orange', and 'leenz' rhymes with 'beans'.
Many people incorrectly pronounce 'Orleans' as 'or-LEENS' instead of 'OR-leenz', missing the subtle 'z' sound at the end.
I enjoyed a jazz concert in New Orleans during my summer vacation.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce New Orleans?
New Orleans is pronounced njuː ˈɔːrliənz. Click the audio button above to hear the correct pronunciation in American, British, and Australian English.
Is New Orleans hard to pronounce?
New Orleans is considered hard to pronounce. The IPA phonetic transcription is njuː ˈɔːrliənz.
What language is New Orleans from?
New Orleans originates from French. Named after the Duke of Orléans. Locals say NUH-OR-linz, not New Or-LEENS.