How to pronounce hostel
Say it like HOS-tul. Hostel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hostel. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HOS
- tul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hostel pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HOSSay 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 hostel
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: HOS-tul.
What does hostel mean?
- An overnight lodging place for travelers, with dormitory accommodation and shared facilities, especially a youth hostel.“a rundown hostel”
- A temporary refuge for the homeless providing a bed and sometimes food.
- A university or school dormitory, a place of accommodation for students.
- To stay in a hostel during one's travels.
- To lodge (a person) in a hostel.
Where does hostel come from?
From Middle English hostel, from Old French hostel, ostel, from Late Latin hospitale (“hospice”), from Classical Latin hospitalis (“hospitable”) itself from hospes (“host”) + -alis (“-al”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with hostel
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of hostel.
Words that sound like hostel
Questions about saying hostel
How do you pronounce hostel?
Say HOS-tul. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɑstəl/. In British English it is /ˈhɒstəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hostel?
Hostel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOS). Broken into parts: HOS · tul.
Is hostel 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 /ˈhɒstəl/ (HOS-tul).
What words sound the same as hostel?
Hostel sounds the same as hostile in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.