How to pronounce accidental
Say it like ak-suh-DEN-tul. Accidental has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (DEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce accidental. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ak
- suh
- DEN
- tul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Accidental pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- akGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- DENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of accidental
American and British speakers say accidental in essentially the same way: /ˌæksəˈdɛntəl/ in the US and /ˌæksəˈdɛntəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: ak-suh-DEN-tul.
What does accidental mean?
- a musical notation that makes a note sharp or flat or natural although that is not part of the key signature
- happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally“with an inadvertent gesture she swept the vase off the table”“accidental poisoning”
- not of prime or central importance“nonessential to the integral meanings of poetry”“the character's motives remain accidental to the plot”
Where does accidental come from?
From Middle English accidental, from Anglo-Norman accidentel, Middle French accidentel, accidental, and their source, Late Latin accidēntālis; corresponding to accident + -al.
Words that rhyme with accidental
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of accidental.
Questions about saying accidental
How do you pronounce accidental?
Say ak-suh-DEN-tul. The American pronunciation is /ˌæksəˈdɛntəl/. In British English it is /ˌæksəˈdɛntəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in accidental?
Accidental has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (DEN). Broken into parts: ak · suh · DEN · tul.
Do Americans and Brits say accidental the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌæksəˈdɛntəl/ and the British form is /ˌæksəˈdɛntəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.