How to pronounce durable
Say it like DUUR-uh-bul. Durable has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DUUR).
- DUUR
- uh
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Durable pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DUURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of durable
American and British speakers say durable in essentially the same way: /ˈdʊrəbəl/ in the US and /ˈdjʊərəbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: DYOOR-ruh-bul.
What does durable mean?
- existing for a long time“hopes for a durable peace”“a long-lasting friendship”
- capable of withstanding wear and tear and decay“durable denim jeans”
- very long lasting“less durable rocks were gradually worn away to form valleys”“the perdurable granite of the ancient Appalachian spine of the continent”
Where does durable come from?
From Middle English durable, from Old French durable, from Latin dūrābilis (“lasting, permanent”), from dūrō (“harden, make hard”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with durable
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of durable.
Questions about saying durable
How do you pronounce durable?
Say DUUR-uh-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˈdʊrəbəl/. In British English it is /ˈdjʊərəbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in durable?
Durable has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DUUR). Broken into parts: DUUR · uh · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say durable the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdʊrəbəl/ and the British form is /ˈdjʊərəbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.