How to pronounce canonical
Say it like kuh-NON-uh-kul. Canonical has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce canonical. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kuh
- NON
- uh
- kul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Canonical pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of canonical
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kuh-NON-ih-kul.
What does canonical mean?
- Present in a canon, religious or otherwise.“The Gospel of Luke is a canonical New Testament book.”
- According to recognized or orthodox rules.“The men played golf in the most canonical way, with no local rules.”
- Stated or used in the most basic and straightforwardly applicable manner.“the reduction of a linear substitution to its canonical form”
- The formal robes of a priest.
Where does canonical come from?
From Middle English canonycal, from Medieval Latin canōnicālis.
Words that rhyme with canonical
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of canonical.
Questions about saying canonical
How do you pronounce canonical?
Say kuh-NON-uh-kul. The American pronunciation is /kəˈnɑnəkəl/. In British English it is /kəˈnɒnɪkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in canonical?
Canonical has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NON). Broken into parts: kuh · NON · uh · kul.
Is canonical pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /kəˈnɒnɪkəl/ (kuh-NON-ih-kul).