How to pronounce empirical
Say it like em-PIR-ih-kul. Empirical has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce empirical. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- em
- PIR
- ih
- kul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Empirical pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- emGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- PIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of empirical
American and British speakers say empirical in essentially the same way: /ˌɛmˈpɪrɪkəl/ in the US and /ˌɛmˈpɪrɪkəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: em-PIR-ih-kul.
What does empirical mean?
- derived from experiment and observation rather than theory“an empirical basis for an ethical theory”“empirical laws”
- relying on medical quackery“empiric treatment”
Where does empirical come from?
From empiric + -al.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with empirical
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of empirical.
Questions about saying empirical
How do you pronounce empirical?
Say em-PIR-ih-kul. The American pronunciation is /ˌɛmˈpɪrɪkəl/. In British English it is /ˌɛmˈpɪrɪkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in empirical?
Empirical has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PIR). Broken into parts: em · PIR · ih · kul.
Do Americans and Brits say empirical the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɛmˈpɪrɪkəl/ and the British form is /ˌɛmˈpɪrɪkəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.