How to pronounce fossil
Say it like FOS-ul. Fossil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FOS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce fossil. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FOS
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fossil pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FOSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of fossil
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: FOS-ul.
What does fossil mean?
- someone whose style is out of fashion
- the remains (or an impression) of a plant or animal that existed in a past geological age and that has been excavated from the soil
- characteristic of a fossil
Where does fossil come from?
From French fossile, from Latin fossilis (“something which has been dug up”), from fodio (“to dig up”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with fossil
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of fossil.
Questions about saying fossil
How do you pronounce fossil?
Say FOS-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɑsəl/. In British English it is /ˈfɒsəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fossil?
Fossil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FOS). Broken into parts: FOS · ul.
Is fossil pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈfɒsəl/ (FOS-ul).