How to pronounce fraternal
Say it like fruh-TUR-nul. Fraternal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce fraternal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- fruh
- TUR
- nul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fraternal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- fruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- nulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of fraternal
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: fruh-TUR-nul.
What does fraternal mean?
- Of or pertaining to a brother or brothers.
- Of or pertaining to a fraternity.
- Platonic or friendly.
- A society formed to provide mutual aid, such as insurance.
- A fraternal twin.
Where does fraternal come from?
Borrowed from Middle French fraternel, from Medieval Latin frāternālis (“fraternal”), from Latin frāternus (“of or pertaining to a brother, fraternal”), from frāter (“brother”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with fraternal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of fraternal.
Questions about saying fraternal
How do you pronounce fraternal?
Say fruh-TUR-nul. The American pronunciation is /frəˈtɝnəl/. In British English it is /frəˈtɜːnəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fraternal?
Fraternal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TUR). Broken into parts: fruh · TUR · nul.
Is fraternal 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 /frəˈtɜːnəl/ (fruh-TUR-nul).