How to pronounce devil
Say it like DEV-ul. Devil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce devil. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DEV
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Devil pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DEVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of devil
American and British speakers say devil in essentially the same way: /ˈdɛvəl/ in the US and /ˈdɛvəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: DEV-ul.
What does devil mean?
- (Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
- an evil supernatural being
- a word used in exclamations of confusion“what the devil”“the deuce with it”
- cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations“Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me”“It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves”
- coat or stuff with a spicy paste“devilled eggs”
Words that rhyme with devil
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of devil.
Questions about saying devil
How do you pronounce devil?
Say DEV-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɛvəl/. In British English it is /ˈdɛvəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in devil?
Devil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEV). Broken into parts: DEV · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say devil the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɛvəl/ and the British form is /ˈdɛvəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.