Hear "Cool"in a Southern Accent

Us Southerners don’t always say cool the way the unhillbillies do. You’ll often hear it as kuh-oo [kʊu̯] ~ [kuːɫ̩] - almost like two soft syllables with an implied "l" at the end, a little like French. Play the clip to hear how it sounds in real Southern speech, then - if you're up for a challenge - practice it yourself with our tips and sentences.

#SouthernAccents

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Listen to our audio clip a few times, focusing on the "kuh-oo" glide with the hidden "l" at the end, then repeat until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.

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Common Questions

How do Southerners usually pronounce "cool"?

Some soften it to "kuh-oo," gliding the vowel and almost dropping the "l" completely.

Is this pronunciation used all over the South?

It’s more common in rural areas and in older generations; plenty of Southerners still say "cool" with a clear "l."

How can I practice saying "cool" in a Southern accent?

Start with "koo" then let the vowel glide toward "oo" with a barely-there "l" sound at the end - "kuh-oo."

Why do Southerners soften the "l" in "cool"?

It’s part of the vowel glide and consonant softening that gives Southern speech its musical quality.

Regional Note

Southern accents vary widely from state to state and even holler to holler. The examples here reflect speech patterns common to rural Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, western North Carolina, north Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, and aren't meant to represent lowland or coastal "Deep South" varieties. They're provided for curious learners, actors and content creators, and ESL speakers who want a friendly introduction to authentic pronunciation. Learn more on the Southern Accent hub page.

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