How do you pronounce calvados?
You pronounce calvados "KAL-vuh-doss" in British English and "KAL-vuh-dohss" in American English, with the stress on the first syllable. Cambridge Dictionary gives /ˈkæl.və.dɒs/ (UK) and /ˈkæl.və.doʊs/ (US). The final "s" is pronounced. In France, calvados is often shortened to "calva".
Updated
Key facts
- Dictionary pronunciation. Cambridge Dictionary gives / ˈkæl.və.dɒs / for UK English and / ˈkæl.və.doʊs / for US English. [1]
- Meaning. It defines calvados as "a strong alcoholic drink made from apples, produced in northern France". [1]
- Protected name. Calvados is a French AOC for a cider brandy from Normandy and nearby areas. [2]
How do you say calvados, syllable by syllable?
| Syllable | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (stressed) | KAL | KAL |
| 2 | vuh | vuh |
| 3 | doss (as in "loss") | dohss (as in "dose") |
The stress falls on the first syllable in both. [1] The only difference is the last vowel: short in British English, longer in American English.
What other calvados words will I see?
- Pays d'Auge. One of the three calvados appellations, with Calvados Domfrontais. [3] The appellations are explained in how calvados is made.
- Pommeau. An apple aperitif made with calvados; see the glossary entry for pommeau.
- Trou normand. The glass of calvados served mid-meal; see what goes with calvados.
For what the spirit is and how its age labels work, see what calvados is.
Related answers: what calvados is · how calvados is made
Find it on Cider Radar
- Cider makers in Normandy: 114 makers listed (as of 2026-10-02), including calvados producers.
- Glossary: calvados · Guide: French cidre
- You can order directly from the maker in Cider Radar (iOS, Android and web).
- Open the map: app.ciderradar.com · iPhone · Android
Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.
Questions
What does calva mean?
"Calva" is a common French nickname for calvados; the calvados interprofession uses it for the coffee-and-calvados tradition, the Café Calva. [4]
Is Calvados capitalised?
Cambridge Dictionary lists it with a capital C, as it is named after a place, but lowercase "calvados" is also common in English for the drink. [1]
Sources
- calvados (definition and pronunciation) — Cambridge Dictionary
- Calvados (AOC) — INAO
- FAQ — Calvados Nouvelle Vogue (IDAC)
- How and when to drink Calvados — Calvados Nouvelle Vogue (IDAC)