How to pronounce anvil
Say it like AN-vul. Anvil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce anvil. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AN
- vul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Anvil pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- vulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of anvil
American and British speakers say anvil in essentially the same way: /ˈænvəl/ in the US and /ˈænvɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: AN-vil.
What does anvil mean?
- A heavy iron block used in the blacksmithing trade as a surface upon which metal can be struck and shaped.
- The incus bone in the middle ear.
- A stone or other hard surface used by a bird for breaking the shells of snails.
- To fashion on, or as if on, an anvil.
Where does anvil come from?
From Middle English anfilt, anvelt, anfelt, from late Old English anfilt, anfilte, anfealt, from earlier onfilti (“anvil”), from Proto-West Germanic *anafalt (compare Middle Dutch anvilte, Low German Anfilts, Anefilt, Old High German anafal
Questions about saying anvil
How do you pronounce anvil?
Say AN-vul. The American pronunciation is /ˈænvəl/. In British English it is /ˈænvɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in anvil?
Anvil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AN). Broken into parts: AN · vul.
Do Americans and Brits say anvil the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈænvəl/ and the British form is /ˈænvɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.