How to pronounce fable
Say it like FAY-bul. Fable has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce fable. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FAY
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fable pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of fable
American and British speakers say fable in essentially the same way: /ˈfeɪbəl/ in the US and /ˈfeɪbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: FAY-bul.
What does fable mean?
- A fictitious narrative intended to enforce some useful truth or precept, usually with animals, etc. as characters; an apologue. Prototypically, Aesop's Fables.
- Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of talk.
- Fiction; untruth; falsehood.
Where does fable come from?
From Middle English, borrowed from Old French fable, from Latin fābula, from fārī (“to speak, say”) + -bula (“instrumental suffix”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with fable
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of fable.
Questions about saying fable
How do you pronounce fable?
Say FAY-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˈfeɪbəl/. In British English it is /ˈfeɪbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fable?
Fable has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FAY). Broken into parts: FAY · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say fable the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈfeɪbəl/ and the British form is /ˈfeɪbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.