How to pronounce decennial
Say it like duh-SEN-ee-ul. Decennial has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce decennial. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- duh
- SEN
- ee
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Decennial pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of decennial
- American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3.
British respelling: dih-SEN-eerl.
What does decennial mean?
- Synonym of decade, a ten-year period.
- A tenth anniversary, particularly
- Occurring every ten years.
- Of or related to a ten-year period, as a term of office.
Where does decennial come from?
From Latin decennialis, from decennium (“10-year period”) + -ālis, from decennis (“10-year”) + -ium (“-ium”, suffix forming abstract nouns), from decem (“ten”) + annus (“year”) + -is (suffix forming compound adjectives).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with decennial
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of decennial.
Questions about saying decennial
How do you pronounce decennial?
Say duh-SEN-ee-ul. The American pronunciation is /dəˈsɛniəl/. In British English it is /dɪˈsɛnɪəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in decennial?
Decennial has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEN). Broken into parts: duh · SEN · ee · ul.
Is decennial pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3. The British form is /dɪˈsɛnɪəl/ (dih-SEN-eerl).