How to pronounce carnelian
Say it like kar-NEE-lyun. Carnelian has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce carnelian. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kar
- NEE
- lyun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Carnelian pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- karKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- NEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- lyunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of carnelian
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: kah-NEE-lyun.
What does carnelian mean?
- A hard, reddish brown chalcedony used in jewelry.
Where does carnelian come from?
From cornelian, the red form named carneolus under the influence of Latin carneus (“fleshy”) because of its color.
Questions about saying carnelian
How do you pronounce carnelian?
Say kar-NEE-lyun. The American pronunciation is /kɑrˈniljən/. In British English it is /kɑːˈniːljən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in carnelian?
Carnelian has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NEE). Broken into parts: kar · NEE · lyun.
Is carnelian 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 /kɑːˈniːljən/ (kah-NEE-lyun).