How to pronounce abnormal
Say it like ab-NOR-mul. Abnormal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce abnormal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ab
- NOR
- mul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Abnormal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- abKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- NORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- mulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of abnormal
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: ab-NAW-mul.
What does abnormal mean?
- not normal; not typical or usual or regular or conforming to a norm“abnormal powers of concentration”“abnormal amounts of rain”
- departing from the normal in e.g. intelligence and development“they were heartbroken when they learned their child was abnormal”“an abnormal personality”
- much greater than the normal“abnormal profits”“abnormal ambition”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with abnormal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of abnormal.
Questions about saying abnormal
How do you pronounce abnormal?
Say ab-NOR-mul. The American pronunciation is /æbˈnɔrməl/. In British English it is /æbˈnɔːməl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in abnormal?
Abnormal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NOR). Broken into parts: ab · NOR · mul.
Is abnormal pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /æbˈnɔːməl/ (ab-NAW-mul).