How to pronounce intellectual
Say it like in-tuh-LEK-choo-ul. Intellectual has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LEK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce intellectual. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- tuh
- LEK
- choo
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Intellectual 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.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- chooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of intellectual
American and British speakers say intellectual in essentially the same way: /ˌɪntəˈlɛktʃuəl/ in the US and /ˌɪntəˈlɛktʃuəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-tuh-LEK-choo-ul.
What does intellectual mean?
- of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind“intellectual problems”“the triumph of the rational over the animal side of man”
- appealing to or using the intellect“satire is an intellectual weapon”“intellectual workers engaged in creative literary or artistic or scientific labor”
- involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct“a cerebral approach to the problem”“cerebral drama”
- a person who uses the mind creatively
Where does intellectual come from?
From Old French intellectuel, from Latin intellectualis.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with intellectual
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of intellectual.
Questions about saying intellectual
How do you pronounce intellectual?
Say in-tuh-LEK-choo-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪntəˈlɛktʃuəl/. In British English it is /ˌɪntəˈlɛktʃuəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in intellectual?
Intellectual has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LEK). Broken into parts: in · tuh · LEK · choo · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say intellectual the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪntəˈlɛktʃuəl/ and the British form is /ˌɪntəˈlɛktʃuəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.