How to pronounce carnival
Say it like KAR-nuh-vul. Carnival has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce carnival. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAR
- nuh
- vul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Carnival pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- vulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of carnival
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KAH-nih-vul.
What does carnival mean?
- a festival marked by merrymaking and processions
- a frenetic disorganized (and often comic) disturbance suggestive of a large public entertainment“it was so funny it was a circus”“the whole occasion had a carnival atmosphere”
- a traveling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc.
Where does carnival come from?
From Middle French carnaval, from Italian carnevale, possibly from the Latin phrase carnem levāmen (“meat dismissal”).
Questions about saying carnival
How do you pronounce carnival?
Say KAR-nuh-vul. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑrnəvəl/. In British English it is /ˈkɑːnɪvəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in carnival?
Carnival has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAR). Broken into parts: KAR · nuh · vul.
Is carnival 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 /ˈkɑːnɪvəl/ (KAH-nih-vul).