How to pronounce horizontal
Say it like hor-uh-ZAHN-tul. Horizontal has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (ZAHN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce horizontal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- hor
- uh
- ZAHN
- tul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Horizontal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- horGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ZAHNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of horizontal
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: hor-ih-ZON-tul.
What does horizontal mean?
- parallel to or in the plane of the horizon or a base line“a horizontal surface”
- something that is oriented horizontally
Where does horizontal come from?
Borrowed from Middle French horizontal, from horizon, horizonte, from Latin horizōn (stem horizont-).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with horizontal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of horizontal.
Questions about saying horizontal
How do you pronounce horizontal?
Say hor-uh-ZAHN-tul. The American pronunciation is /ˌhɔrəˈzɑntəl/. In British English it is /ˌhɒrɪˈzɒntəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in horizontal?
Horizontal has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (ZAHN). Broken into parts: hor · uh · ZAHN · tul.
Is horizontal 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 /ˌhɒrɪˈzɒntəl/ (hor-ih-ZON-tul).