How to pronounce diagonal
Say it like dy-AG-uh-nul. Diagonal has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce diagonal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dy
- AG
- uh
- nul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Diagonal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dyKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- AGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of diagonal
American and British speakers say diagonal in essentially the same way: /daɪˈæɡənəl/ in the US and /daɪˈæɡənəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: dy-AG-uh-nul.
What does diagonal mean?
- Joining two nonadjacent vertices (of a polygon or polyhedron).
- Having slanted or oblique lines or markings.
- Having a slanted or oblique direction.
- A line joining non-adjacent vertices of a polygon.
- A line or plane at an oblique angle to another.
- A line or cut across a fabric at an oblique angle to its sides.
Words that rhyme with diagonal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of diagonal.
Questions about saying diagonal
How do you pronounce diagonal?
Say dy-AG-uh-nul. The American pronunciation is /daɪˈæɡənəl/. In British English it is /daɪˈæɡənəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in diagonal?
Diagonal has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AG). Broken into parts: dy · AG · uh · nul.
Do Americans and Brits say diagonal the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /daɪˈæɡənəl/ and the British form is /daɪˈæɡənəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.