How to pronounce commercial
Say it like kuh-MUR-shul. Commercial has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce commercial. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kuh
- MUR
- shul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Commercial 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.
- MURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- shulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of commercial
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: kuh-MUR-shul.
What does commercial mean?
- connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises“commercial trucker”“commercial TV”
- of or relating to commercialism“a commercial attache”“commercial paper”
- of the kind or quality used in commerce; average or inferior“commercial grade of beef”“commercial oxalic acid”
- a commercially sponsored ad on radio or television
Where does commercial come from?
From French commercial (“of, or pertaining to commerce”), from Late Latin commercialis, from Latin commercium.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with commercial
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of commercial.
Questions about saying commercial
How do you pronounce commercial?
Say kuh-MUR-shul. The American pronunciation is /kəˈmɝʃəl/. In British English it is /kəˈmɜːʃəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in commercial?
Commercial has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MUR). Broken into parts: kuh · MUR · shul.
Is commercial 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 /kəˈmɜːʃəl/ (kuh-MUR-shul).