How to pronounce cavil
Say it like KAV-ul. Cavil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cavil. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAV
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cavil pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAVSay 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 cavil
American and British speakers say cavil in essentially the same way: /ˈkævəl/ in the US and /ˈkævəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: KAV-ul.
What does cavil mean?
- To criticize for petty or frivolous reasons.
- A petty or trivial objection or criticism.
Where does cavil come from?
From Old French caviller (“mock, jest, rail”), from Latin cavillor (“jeer, mock, satirise, reason captiously”), from cavilla (“jeering, raillery, scoffing”); cognate with Italian cavillare, Portuguese cavillar, and Spanish cavilar; nominal
Words that rhyme with cavil
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of cavil.
Questions about saying cavil
How do you pronounce cavil?
Say KAV-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈkævəl/. In British English it is /ˈkævəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cavil?
Cavil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAV). Broken into parts: KAV · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say cavil the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkævəl/ and the British form is /ˈkævəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.