How to pronounce carol
Say it like KAR-ul. Carol has two 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 carol. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAR
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Carol 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 "a" in cat.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of carol
American and British speakers say carol in essentially the same way: /ˈkærəl/ in the US and /ˈkærəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: KAR-ul.
Other ways to say carol
Carol also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- KER-ul /ˈkɛrəl/
What does carol mean?
- joyful religious song celebrating the birth of Christ
- a joyful song (usually celebrating the birth of Christ)
- sing carols“They went caroling on Christmas Day”
Where does carol come from?
The verb is derived from Middle English carolen (“to dance and/or sing in a round dance; to sing for (dancers in a round dance); (figurative) to spend time noisily or unprofitably”), from Old French caroler (“to sing”), from carole (noun) (
Words that rhyme with carol
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of carol.
Questions about saying carol
How do you pronounce carol?
Say KAR-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈkærəl/. In British English it is /ˈkærəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in carol?
Carol has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAR). Broken into parts: KAR · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say carol the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkærəl/ and the British form is /ˈkærəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.