How to pronounce diurnal
Say it like dy-UR-nul. Diurnal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (UR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce diurnal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dy
- UR
- nul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Diurnal 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.
- URSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- nulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of diurnal
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: dy-UR-nul.
What does diurnal mean?
- Happening or occurring during daylight, or primarily active during that time.“Most birds are diurnal.”
- Said of a flower that is open, or releasing its perfume during daylight hours, but not at night.
- Having a daily cycle that is completed every 24 hours, usually referring to tasks, processes, tides, or sunrise to sunset; circadian.
- A flower that opens only in the day.
- A book containing canonical offices performed during the day, hence not matins.
Where does diurnal come from?
From Latin diurnālis, from diēs (“day”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with diurnal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of diurnal.
Questions about saying diurnal
How do you pronounce diurnal?
Say dy-UR-nul. The American pronunciation is /daɪˈɝnəl/. In British English it is /daɪˈɜːnəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in diurnal?
Diurnal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (UR). Broken into parts: dy · UR · nul.
Is diurnal pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /daɪˈɜːnəl/ (dy-UR-nul).