How to pronounce gerbil
Say it like JUR-bul. Gerbil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (JUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gerbil. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- JUR
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gerbil pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- JURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of gerbil
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: JUR-bul.
What does gerbil mean?
- A member of one of several species of small, jumping, mouselike rodents of the subfamily Gerbillinae, native to Africa, India, and Southern Europe.
- To rotate inside a monowheel or similar apparatus due to sudden acceleration or braking.
- To insert a small animal (typically a gerbil, supposedly) into one's rectum (a sexual practice in urban myth).
Words that rhyme with gerbil
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of gerbil.
Questions about saying gerbil
How do you pronounce gerbil?
Say JUR-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˈdʒɝbəl/. In British English it is /ˈdʒɜːbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gerbil?
Gerbil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (JUR). Broken into parts: JUR · bul.
Is gerbil 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 /ˈdʒɜːbəl/ (JUR-bul).