How to pronounce capillary
Say it like KAP-uh-ler-ee. Capillary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAP).
- KAP
- uh
- ler
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Capillary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAPSay 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.
- lerGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of capillary
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2.
British respelling: kuh-PIL-uh-ree.
What does capillary mean?
- Resembling or pertaining to hair, especially in slenderness or fineness.
- Of or pertaining to a narrow tube.
- Of, relating to, or caused by surface tension.
- Any of the small blood vessels (from 5 to 10 micrometres/micrometers (μm) in diameter) that connect arteries to veins (They are the smallest blood vessels in the body: they convey blood between the arterioles and venules).
- A tube or channel having a very small internal diameter, through which liquid can rise or be drawn by capillary action.
Where does capillary come from?
From Latin capillāris (“pertaining to the hair”), from capillus (“the hair, properly of the head”), from caput (“head”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- capillary tube
- capillary tubing
- capillary vessel
- hairlike
Questions about saying capillary
How do you pronounce capillary?
Say KAP-uh-ler-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈkæpəˌlɛri/. In British English it is /kəˈpɪləri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in capillary?
Capillary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAP). Broken into parts: KAP · uh · ler · ee.
Is capillary pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2. The British form is /kəˈpɪləri/ (kuh-PIL-uh-ree).