How to pronounce birl
Say it like BURL. Birl is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce birl. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BURL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Birl pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BURLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of birl
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BURL.
What does birl mean?
- To spin.
- To cause (a floating log) to rotate by treading on it.
- To throw down a coin as one's share in a joint contribution.
- A type of grace note movement that quickly switches between low-A and low-G several times, producing a low rippling sound.
- Alternative form of birle (“to drink, carouse”).
Where does birl come from?
Inherited from Middle English birlen.
Words that rhyme with birl
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of birl.
Questions about saying birl
How do you pronounce birl?
Say BURL. The American pronunciation is /bɝl/. In British English it is /bɜːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in birl?
Birl is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: BURL.
Is birl 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 /bɜːl/ (BURL).