How to pronounce heckle
Say it like HEK-ul. Heckle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HEK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce heckle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HEK
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Heckle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of heckle
American and British speakers say heckle in essentially the same way: /ˈhɛkəl/ in the US and /ˈhɛkəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: HEK-ul.
What does heckle mean?
- Alternative form of hackle (“tool for separating flax”).
- The long shining feathers on a cock's neck.
- A feather ornament in the full-dress bonnets of Highland regiments.
- To question harshly in an attempt to find or reveal weaknesses.
- To insult, tease, make fun of or badger, especially during a comedy performance.“Promise that you won't heckle me after my performance.”
- To prepare (flax) for spinning, using special combs called hackles.
Where does heckle come from?
Transferred usage of Middle English hekelen (“to comb flax or hemp with a heckle”), from hekele (“a comb for flax or hemp”), from Middle Dutch hekelen (“to prickle, irritate”), from Proto-West Germanic *hakilōn, from Proto-Germanic *hakilōn
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with heckle
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of heckle.
Questions about saying heckle
How do you pronounce heckle?
Say HEK-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɛkəl/. In British English it is /ˈhɛkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in heckle?
Heckle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HEK). Broken into parts: HEK · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say heckle the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhɛkəl/ and the British form is /ˈhɛkəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.