How to pronounce addle
Say it like AD-ul. Addle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce addle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AD
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Addle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ADSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of addle
American and British speakers say addle in essentially the same way: /ˈædəl/ in the US and /ˈædəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: AD-ul.
What does addle mean?
- Having lost the power of development, and become rotten; putrid.“addle eggs”
- Unfruitful or confused; muddled.“addle brains”
- To make or become addled; to muddle or confuse.“to addle someone's brain”
- To cause fertilized eggs to lose viability, by killing the developing embryo within through shaking, piercing, freezing or oiling, without breaking the shell.
- An unwise or intellectually impaired person.
Where does addle come from?
Akin to Scots adill, North Frisian ethel (“urine”), Saterland Frisian adel (“dung”), Middle Low German adele (“mud, liquid manure”) (Dutch aal (“liquid manure”)), Old Swedish adel (“urine”), Danish ajle (“liquid manure”), Bavarian Adel (“liquid manure”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying addle
How do you pronounce addle?
Say AD-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈædəl/. In British English it is /ˈædəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in addle?
Addle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AD). Broken into parts: AD · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say addle the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈædəl/ and the British form is /ˈædəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.