How to pronounce evil
Say it like EE-vul. Evil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce evil. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EE
- vul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Evil pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- vulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of evil
American and British speakers say evil in essentially the same way: /ˈivəl/ in the US and /ˈiːvəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: EE-vul.
What does evil mean?
- morally objectionable behavior
- that which causes harm or destruction or misfortune“the evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones”
- the quality of being morally wrong in principle or practice“attempts to explain the origin of evil in the world”
- morally bad or wrong“evil purposes”“an evil influence”
- having the nature of vice
- having or exerting a malignant influence“malevolent stars”“a malefic force”
Where does evil come from?
Cognate with Dutch euvel (“evil”), German übel (“bad, evil”), German Low German övel (“evil”), Luxembourgish iwwel (“queasy, nauseous; bad”), Gothic 𐌿𐌱𐌹𐌻𐍃 (ubils, “bad, evil”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with evil
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of evil.
Questions about saying evil
How do you pronounce evil?
Say EE-vul. The American pronunciation is /ˈivəl/. In British English it is /ˈiːvəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in evil?
Evil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EE). Broken into parts: EE · vul.
Do Americans and Brits say evil the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈivəl/ and the British form is /ˈiːvəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.