How to pronounce continental
Say it like kahn-tuh-NEN-tul. Continental has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce continental. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kahn
- tuh
- NEN
- tul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Continental pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kahnGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of continental
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kon-tih-NEN-tul.
What does continental mean?
- of or pertaining to or typical of Europe“a Continental breakfast”
- of or relating to or concerning the American colonies during and immediately after the American Revolutionary War“the Continental Army”“the Continental Congress”
- of or relating to or characteristic of a continent“the continental divide”“continental drift”
Where does continental come from?
From continent + -al.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with continental
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of continental.
Questions about saying continental
How do you pronounce continental?
Say kahn-tuh-NEN-tul. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑntəˈnɛntəl/. In British English it is /ˌkɒntɪˈnɛntəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in continental?
Continental has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NEN). Broken into parts: kahn · tuh · NEN · tul.
Is continental 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 /ˌkɒntɪˈnɛntəl/ (kon-tih-NEN-tul).