How to pronounce barnacle
Say it like BAR-nuh-kul. Barnacle has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce barnacle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAR
- nuh
- kul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Barnacle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of barnacle
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BAH-nuh-kul.
What does barnacle mean?
- A marine crustacean of the subclass Cirripedia that attaches itself to submerged surfaces such as tidal rocks or the bottoms of ships.
- The barnacle goose.
- In electrical engineering, a change made to a product on the manufacturing floor that was not part of the original product design.
- To connect with or attach.
- To press close against something.
Where does barnacle come from?
First attestations referred to the goose, with corresponding folklore (q.v.).
Questions about saying barnacle
How do you pronounce barnacle?
Say BAR-nuh-kul. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɑrnəkəl/. In British English it is /ˈbɑːnəkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in barnacle?
Barnacle has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAR). Broken into parts: BAR · nuh · kul.
Is barnacle 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 /ˈbɑːnəkəl/ (BAH-nuh-kul).