How to pronounce impenetrable
Say it like im-PEN-uh-truh-bul. Impenetrable has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce impenetrable. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- im
- PEN
- uh
- truh
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Impenetrable pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- imGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- PENSay 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.
- truhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of impenetrable
American and British speakers say impenetrable in essentially the same way: /ˌɪmˈpɛnətrəbəl/ in the US and /ˌɪmˈpɛnətrəbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: im-PEN-uh-truh-bul.
What does impenetrable mean?
- Not penetrable.“The fortress is impenetrable, so it cannot be taken.”
- Opaque; obscure; not translucent or transparent.
- Incomprehensible; fathomless; inscrutable.“Business jargon makes this document impenetrable, I can’t understand it.”
- A person not openly given to friendship.
Where does impenetrable come from?
From Middle English inpenetrabel, inpenetrabyle, from Middle French impenetrable or directly from its etymon, Latin impenetrābilis.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying impenetrable
How do you pronounce impenetrable?
Say im-PEN-uh-truh-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪmˈpɛnətrəbəl/. In British English it is /ˌɪmˈpɛnətrəbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in impenetrable?
Impenetrable has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PEN). Broken into parts: im · PEN · uh · truh · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say impenetrable the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪmˈpɛnətrəbəl/ and the British form is /ˌɪmˈpɛnətrəbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.