How to pronounce inscrutable
Say it like in-SKROO-tuh-bul. Inscrutable has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SKROO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce inscrutable. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- SKROO
- tuh
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Inscrutable pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SKROOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- tuhKeep 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 inscrutable
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: in-SKROO-tuh-bul.
What does inscrutable mean?
- Difficult or impossible to comprehend, fathom, or interpret.“His inscrutable theories would years later become the foundation of a whole new science.”
- One who or that which is inscrutable; a person, etc. that cannot be comprehended.
Where does inscrutable come from?
Borrowed into late Middle English from Late Latin īnscrūtābilis, from in- (“not”) + scrūtō (“to examine”), corresponding to in- + scrutable
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with inscrutable
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of inscrutable.
Questions about saying inscrutable
How do you pronounce inscrutable?
Say in-SKROO-tuh-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈskrutəbəl/. In British English it is /ˌɪnˈskruːtəbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in inscrutable?
Inscrutable has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SKROO). Broken into parts: in · SKROO · tuh · bul.
Is inscrutable 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 /ˌɪnˈskruːtəbəl/ (in-SKROO-tuh-bul).