How to pronounce bifocal
Say it like BY-foh-kul. Bifocal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bifocal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BY
- foh
- kul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bifocal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- fohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of bifocal
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: BY-foh-kul.
What does bifocal mean?
- Having two focal lengths.
- Divided into two parts, one of which corrects for distance vision and the other for near vision.
Where does bifocal come from?
By surface analysis, bi- + focal, or, by surface analysis, bi- + foc(us) + -al.
Questions about saying bifocal
How do you pronounce bifocal?
Say BY-foh-kul. The American pronunciation is /ˈbaɪfoʊkəl/. In British English it is /ˈbaɪfəʊkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bifocal?
Bifocal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BY). Broken into parts: BY · foh · kul.
Is bifocal pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈbaɪfəʊkəl/ (BY-foh-kul).