How to pronounce gentle
Say it like JEN-tul. Gentle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (JEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gentle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- JEN
- tul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gentle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- JENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of gentle
American and British speakers say gentle in essentially the same way: /ˈdʒɛntəl/ in the US and /ˈdʒɛntəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: JEN-tul.
What does gentle mean?
- soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe“a gentle reprimand”“a vein of gentle irony”
- having or showing a kindly or tender nature“the gentle touch of her hand”“her gentle manner was comforting”
- quiet and soothing“a gentle voice”“a gentle nocturne”
- cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of“She managed to mollify the angry customer”
- give a title to someone; make someone a member of the nobility
- stroke soothingly
Where does gentle come from?
From Middle English gentil (“courteous, noble”), from Old French gentil (“high-born, noble”), from Latin gentilis (“of the same family or clan”), from gens (“[Roman] clan”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with gentle
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of gentle.
- mental
- environmental
- fundamental
- experimental
- dental
- rental
- continental
- instrumental
- accidental
- developmental
Questions about saying gentle
How do you pronounce gentle?
Say JEN-tul. The American pronunciation is /ˈdʒɛntəl/. In British English it is /ˈdʒɛntəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gentle?
Gentle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (JEN). Broken into parts: JEN · tul.
Do Americans and Brits say gentle the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdʒɛntəl/ and the British form is /ˈdʒɛntəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.