How to pronounce buckle
Say it like BUHK-ul. Buckle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BUHK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce buckle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BUHK
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Buckle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BUHKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of buckle
American and British speakers say buckle in essentially the same way: /ˈbʌkəl/ in the US and /ˈbʌkəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: BUHK-ul.
What does buckle mean?
- fasten with a buckle or buckles
- fold or collapse“His knees buckled”
- bend out of shape, as under pressure or from heat“The highway buckled during the heat wave”
- fastener that fastens together two ends of a belt or strap; often has loose prong
- a shape distorted by twisting or folding
Where does buckle come from?
In verb etymology 1, verb sense 1.2.1, the sense “to apply (oneself) to, or prepare (oneself) for, a task or work” was derived from the now obsolete sense “to equip (oneself) for a battle, etc.”, and originally alluded to armor being buckled on to the body.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with buckle
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of buckle.
Questions about saying buckle
How do you pronounce buckle?
Say BUHK-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈbʌkəl/. In British English it is /ˈbʌkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in buckle?
Buckle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BUHK). Broken into parts: BUHK · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say buckle the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbʌkəl/ and the British form is /ˈbʌkəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.