How to pronounce hypothetical
Say it like hy-puh-THET-uh-kul. Hypothetical has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (THET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hypothetical. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- hy
- puh
- THET
- uh
- kul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hypothetical pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- hyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- THETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of hypothetical
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: hy-puh-THET-ih-kul.
What does hypothetical mean?
- based primarily on surmise rather than adequate evidence“theories about the extinction of dinosaurs are still highly conjectural”“the supposed reason for his absence”
- a hypothetical possibility, circumstance, statement, proposal, situation, etc.“consider the following, just as a hypothetical”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying hypothetical
How do you pronounce hypothetical?
Say hy-puh-THET-uh-kul. The American pronunciation is /ˌhaɪpəˈθɛtəkəl/. In British English it is /ˌhaɪpəˈθɛtɪkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hypothetical?
Hypothetical has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (THET). Broken into parts: hy · puh · THET · uh · kul.
Is hypothetical pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˌhaɪpəˈθɛtɪkəl/ (hy-puh-THET-ih-kul).