How to pronounce decimal
Say it like DES-uh-mul. Decimal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce decimal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DES
- uh
- mul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Decimal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- mulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of decimal
American and British speakers say decimal in essentially the same way: /ˈdɛsəməl/ in the US and /ˈdɛsɪməl/ in the UK.
British respelling: DES-ih-mul.
What does decimal mean?
- A number expressed in the base-ten system, (particularly) a fractional numeral written in this system.“What is ⁷⁄₂₃ as a decimal?”
- The decimal system itself.
- A decimal place.“Pi has a value of 3.142, to three decimals.”
- Concerning numbers expressed in decimal or mathematical calculations performed using decimal.
- To represent with numbers after a decimal point.
Where does decimal come from?
Borrowed from Late Latin, Medieval Latin decimalis, from Latin decimus, from decem (“ten”) + adjective suffix -alis.
Questions about saying decimal
How do you pronounce decimal?
Say DES-uh-mul. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɛsəməl/. In British English it is /ˈdɛsɪməl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in decimal?
Decimal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DES). Broken into parts: DES · uh · mul.
Do Americans and Brits say decimal the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɛsəməl/ and the British form is /ˈdɛsɪməl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.