How to pronounce cannibal
Say it like KAN-uh-bul. Cannibal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cannibal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAN
- uh
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cannibal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KANSay 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.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of cannibal
American and British speakers say cannibal in essentially the same way: /ˈkænəbəl/ in the US and /ˈkænɪbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: KAN-ih-bul.
What does cannibal mean?
- An organism which eats others of its own species or kind, especially a human who consumes human flesh.
Where does cannibal come from?
Borrowed from Spanish caníbal, from Taíno caniba, the Taíno form recorded by Christopher Columbus for the Caribs, who were greatly feared.
Questions about saying cannibal
How do you pronounce cannibal?
Say KAN-uh-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˈkænəbəl/. In British English it is /ˈkænɪbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cannibal?
Cannibal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAN). Broken into parts: KAN · uh · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say cannibal the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkænəbəl/ and the British form is /ˈkænɪbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.