How to pronounce circle
Say it like SUR-kul. Circle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR).
VoiceSpeed
US American/ˈsɝkəl/SUR-kul
UK British/ˈsɜːkəl/SUR-kul
- SUR
- kul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Circle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of circle
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SUR-kul.
What does circle mean?
noun
- A two-dimensional geometric figure, a line, consisting of the set of all those points in a plane that are equally distant from a given point (center).“The set of all points (x, y) such that (x − 1)² + y² = r² is a circle of radius r around the point (1, 0).”
- A two-dimensional geometric figure, a disk, consisting of the set of all those points of a plane at a distance less than or equal to a fixed distance (radius) from a given point.
- The orbit of an astronomical body.
- To travel around along a curved path; to orbit.“The wolves circled the herd of deer.”
- To surround; to encompass within a circle.“A high fence circles the enclosure.”
- To place in a circle; to make a circle.“We circled stones around him.”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with circle
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of circle.
Questions about saying circle
How do you pronounce circle?
Say SUR-kul. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɝkəl/. In British English it is /ˈsɜːkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in circle?
Circle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR). Broken into parts: SUR · kul.
Is circle 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 /ˈsɜːkəl/ (SUR-kul).