How to pronounce controversial
Say it like kahn-truh-VUR-shul. Controversial has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (VUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce controversial. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kahn
- truh
- VUR
- shul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Controversial 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.
- truhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- VURSay 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 controversial
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kon-truh-VUR-shul.
What does controversial mean?
- marked by or capable of arousing controversy“the issue of the death penalty is highly controversial”“Rushdie's controversial book”
Where does controversial come from?
From Latin contrōversiālis, from contrōversia + -ālis.
Words that rhyme with controversial
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of controversial.
Questions about saying controversial
How do you pronounce controversial?
Say kahn-truh-VUR-shul. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑntrəˈvɝʃəl/. In British English it is /ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːʃəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in controversial?
Controversial has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (VUR). Broken into parts: kahn · truh · VUR · shul.
Is controversial 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 /ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːʃəl/ (kon-truh-VUR-shul).