How to pronounce crucial
Say it like KROO-shul. Crucial has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KROO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce crucial. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KROO
- shul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Crucial pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KROOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- shulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of crucial
American and British speakers say crucial in essentially the same way: /ˈkruʃəl/ in the US and /ˈkruːʃəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: KROO-shul.
What does crucial mean?
- of extreme importance; vital to the resolution of a crisis“a crucial moment in his career”“a crucial election”
- having crucial relevance“crucial to the case”“relevant testimony”
- of the greatest importance“the all-important subject of disarmament”“crucial information”
Where does crucial come from?
The meaning “decisive, critical” is extended from a logical term, Instantias Crucis, adopted by Francis Bacon in his influential Novum Organum (1620); the notion is of cross fingerboard signposts at forking roads, thus a requirement to choose.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with crucial
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of crucial.
Questions about saying crucial
How do you pronounce crucial?
Say KROO-shul. The American pronunciation is /ˈkruʃəl/. In British English it is /ˈkruːʃəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in crucial?
Crucial has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KROO). Broken into parts: KROO · shul.
Do Americans and Brits say crucial the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkruʃəl/ and the British form is /ˈkruːʃəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.