How to pronounce colossal
Say it like kuh-LAH-sul. Colossal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAH).
VoiceSpeed
US American/kəˈlɑsəl/kuh-LAH-sul
UK British/kəˈlɒsəl/kuh-LOS-ul
- kuh
- LAH
- sul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Colossal 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.
- LAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- sulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of colossal
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kuh-LOS-ul.
What does colossal mean?
adjective
- Extremely large or on a great scale.“A single puppy can make a colossal mess.”
- Amazingly spectacular; extraordinary; epic.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with colossal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of colossal.
Questions about saying colossal
How do you pronounce colossal?
Say kuh-LAH-sul. The American pronunciation is /kəˈlɑsəl/. In British English it is /kəˈlɒsəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in colossal?
Colossal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAH). Broken into parts: kuh · LAH · sul.
Is colossal pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /kəˈlɒsəl/ (kuh-LOS-ul).