How to pronounce earl
Say it like URL. Earl is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce earl. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- URL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Earl pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- URLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of earl
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: URL.
What does earl mean?
- a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
Where does earl come from?
From Middle English erl, erle, from Old English eorl, from Proto-West Germanic *erl, from Proto-Germanic *erlaz (compare Old Saxon erl, Old Norse jarl), from Proto-Germanic *erōną, *arōną (compare Old Norse jara (“fight, battle”)).
Words that rhyme with earl
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of earl.
Questions about saying earl
How do you pronounce earl?
Say URL. The American pronunciation is /ɝl/. In British English it is /ɜːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in earl?
Earl is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: URL.
Is earl 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 /ɜːl/ (URL).