Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

gecko

/ˈɡɛk.oʊ/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.91 in modern English

Syllables
gec-ko
IPA
/ˈɡɛk.oʊ/
12
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Any lizard in the infraorder Gekkota.

verb

To move in the manner of a gecko; to attach to a vertical or upside-down surface.

noun

Eggcorn of get-go.

Example Sentences

Etymology

The modern form was probably borrowed into English and other European languages from Dutch gekko (1718). Contemporary English forms were chacco (1711) and jackoa (1724). The further origin is not quite clear. Some sources mention a supposed Malay gekok, gekoq, or gekop, which would be imitative of the gecko’s chirping sound. Another theory derives it from Acehnese gèh-gòh (“busy”).

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈɡɛk.oʊ/
  • British English: /ˈɡɛk.əʊ/

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

geckoless geckolike gekkonine

Synonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce gecko?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɡɛk.oʊ/.
What does gecko mean?
Any lizard in the infraorder Gekkota.
Where does gecko come from?
It is traced to Dutch.

How to pronounce gecko

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “gecko”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɡɛk.oʊ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “gecko”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “gecko” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.