How to pronounce impersonal
Say it like im-PUR-suh-nul. Impersonal has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce impersonal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- im
- PUR
- suh
- nul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Impersonal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- imKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- PURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of impersonal
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: im-PUR-suh-nul.
What does impersonal mean?
- Not personal; not representing a person; not having personality.
- Lacking warmth or emotion; cold.“She sounded impersonal as she gave her report of the Nazi death camps.”
- Not having a subject, or having a third person pronoun without an antecedent.“The verb “rain” is impersonal in sentences like “It’s raining.””
- An impersonal word or construct.
Where does impersonal come from?
From French impersonnel, from Latin impersōnālis, from im- (“not”) + persōnālis (“personal”), equivalent to im- + personal.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with impersonal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of impersonal.
Questions about saying impersonal
How do you pronounce impersonal?
Say im-PUR-suh-nul. The American pronunciation is /ɪmˈpɝsənəl/. In British English it is /ɪmˈpɜːsənəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in impersonal?
Impersonal has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PUR). Broken into parts: im · PUR · suh · nul.
Is impersonal pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ɪmˈpɜːsənəl/ (im-PUR-suh-nul).