How to pronounce artificial
Say it like ar-tuh-FISH-ul. Artificial has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FISH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce artificial. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ar
- tuh
- FISH
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Artificial pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- arGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- FISHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of artificial
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: ah-tih-FISH-ul.
What does artificial mean?
- contrived by art rather than nature“artificial flowers”“artificial flavoring”
- artificially formal“that artificial humility that her husband hated”“contrived coyness”
- not arising from natural growth or characterized by vital processes
Where does artificial come from?
From Middle English artificial (“man-made”) via Old French (modern French artificiel), from Latin artificiālis from artificium (“skill”), from artifex, from ars (“skill”), and -fex, from facere (“to make”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with artificial
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of artificial.
Questions about saying artificial
How do you pronounce artificial?
Say ar-tuh-FISH-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˌɑrtəˈfɪʃəl/. In British English it is /ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in artificial?
Artificial has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FISH). Broken into parts: ar · tuh · FISH · ul.
Is artificial 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 /ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃəl/ (ah-tih-FISH-ul).