How to pronounce basil
Say it like BAY-zul. Basil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAY).
- BAY
- zul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: Americans say 'BAY-zul'; Britons say 'BAZ-ul'.
Basil pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- zulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of basil
American and British speakers say basil in essentially the same way: /ˈbeɪzəl/ in the US and /ˈbæzəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: BAZ-ul.
Other ways to say basil
Basil also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- BAZ-ul /ˈbæzəl/
What does basil mean?
- A plant (Ocimum basilicum).
- The leaves of this plant used as a herb.
- Any other species in the genus Ocimum.
- The angle to which a joiner's tool is ground away.
- To grind the edge of a tool to an acute angle.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with basil
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of basil.
Questions about saying basil
How do you pronounce basil?
Say BAY-zul. The American pronunciation is /ˈbeɪzəl/. In British English it is /ˈbæzəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in basil?
Basil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAY). Broken into parts: BAY · zul.
Do Americans and Brits say basil the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbeɪzəl/ and the British form is /ˈbæzəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.