How to pronounce doctoral
Say it like DAHK-tuh-rul. Doctoral has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DAHK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce doctoral. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DAHK
- tuh
- rul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Doctoral pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DAHKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of doctoral
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: DOK-tuh-rul.
What does doctoral mean?
- of or relating to a doctor or doctorate“doctoral dissertation”“doctorial candidates”
Where does doctoral come from?
From doctor + -al, probably modeled on Latin doctorālis.
Questions about saying doctoral
How do you pronounce doctoral?
Say DAHK-tuh-rul. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɑktərəl/. In British English it is /ˈdɒktərəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in doctoral?
Doctoral has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DAHK). Broken into parts: DAHK · tuh · rul.
Is doctoral pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈdɒktərəl/ (DOK-tuh-rul).