How to pronounce colonial
Say it like kuh-LOH-nee-ul. Colonial has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LOH).
VoiceSpeed
US American/kəˈloʊniəl/kuh-LOH-nee-ul
UK British/kəˈləʊnɪəl/kuh-LOH-neerl
- kuh
- LOH
- nee
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Colonial pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- neeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of colonial
- American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: kuh-LOH-neerl.
What does colonial mean?
adjective
- Of or pertaining to a colony.
- Of or pertaining to a period when a country or territory was a colony.
- Of or pertaining to the ideals of colonialism.
- A person from a country that is or was controlled by another.
- A house that is built in a style reminiscent of the period of the colonization of New England.
- A coin or postage stamp issued by a colony.
Where does colonial come from?
From colony + -al.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with colonial
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of colonial.
Questions about saying colonial
How do you pronounce colonial?
Say kuh-LOH-nee-ul. The American pronunciation is /kəˈloʊniəl/. In British English it is /kəˈləʊnɪəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in colonial?
Colonial has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LOH). Broken into parts: kuh · LOH · nee · ul.
Is colonial pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3. The British form is /kəˈləʊnɪəl/ (kuh-LOH-neerl).