How to pronounce differential
Say it like dif-uh-REN-shul. Differential has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (REN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce differential. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dif
- uh
- REN
- shul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Differential pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- difGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of differential
American and British speakers say differential in essentially the same way: /ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃəl/ in the US and /ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: dif-uh-REN-shul.
What does differential mean?
- the result of mathematical differentiation; the instantaneous change of one quantity relative to another; df(x)/dx
- a quality that differentiates between similar things
- a bevel gear that permits rotation of two shafts at different speeds; used on the rear axle of automobiles to allow wheels to rotate at different speeds on curves
- relating to or showing a difference“differential treatment”
- involving or containing one or more derivatives“differential equation”
Where does differential come from?
Learned borrowing from Latin differentiālis.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with differential
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of differential.
- potential
- essential
- presidential
- residential
- influential
- confidential
- existential
- exponential
- sequential
- preferential
Questions about saying differential
How do you pronounce differential?
Say dif-uh-REN-shul. The American pronunciation is /ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃəl/. In British English it is /ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in differential?
Differential has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (REN). Broken into parts: dif · uh · REN · shul.
Do Americans and Brits say differential the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃəl/ and the British form is /ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.