How to pronounce barrel
Say it like BAR-ul. Barrel has two 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 barrel. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAR
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Barrel 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 "a" in cat.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of barrel
American and British speakers say barrel in essentially the same way: /ˈbærəl/ in the US and /ˈbærəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: BAR-ul.
Other ways to say barrel
Barrel also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- BER-ul /ˈbɛrəl/
What does barrel mean?
- a tube through which a bullet travels when a gun is fired
- a cylindrical container that holds liquids
- a bulging cylindrical shape; hollow with flat ends
- put in barrels
Where does barrel come from?
From Middle English barel, from Anglo-Norman baril, Old French baril, bareil (“barrel”), of uncertain origin.
Words that rhyme with barrel
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of barrel.
Questions about saying barrel
How do you pronounce barrel?
Say BAR-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈbærəl/. In British English it is /ˈbærəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in barrel?
Barrel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAR). Broken into parts: BAR · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say barrel the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbærəl/ and the British form is /ˈbærəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.