How to pronounce bilateral
Say it like by-LAT-uh-rul. Bilateral has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bilateral. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- by
- LAT
- uh
- rul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bilateral pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- byKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- LATSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of bilateral
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: by-LAT-uh-rul.
What does bilateral mean?
- having identical parts on each side of an axis
- affecting or undertaken by two parties“a bilateral agreement between the United States and Japan”
- having two sides or parts
Where does bilateral come from?
From bi- + lateral.
Words that rhyme with bilateral
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of bilateral.
Questions about saying bilateral
How do you pronounce bilateral?
Say by-LAT-uh-rul. The American pronunciation is /baɪˈlætərəl/. In British English it is /baɪˈlætərəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bilateral?
Bilateral has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAT). Broken into parts: by · LAT · uh · rul.
Is bilateral pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /baɪˈlætərəl/ (by-LAT-uh-rul).