How to pronounce intelligible
Say it like in-TEL-uh-juh-bul. Intelligible has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce intelligible. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- TEL
- uh
- juh
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Intelligible pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- TELSay 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.
- juhKeep 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 intelligible
American and British speakers say intelligible in essentially the same way: /ɪnˈtɛlədʒəbəl/ in the US and /ɪnˈtɛlədʒəbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-TEL-uh-juh-bul.
What does intelligible mean?
- Capable of being understood; clear to the mind.“Italian and Spanish are partially mutually intelligible languages.”
Where does intelligible come from?
From Middle French intelligible, from Old French, from Latin intelligibilis.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with intelligible
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of intelligible.
Questions about saying intelligible
How do you pronounce intelligible?
Say in-TEL-uh-juh-bul. The American pronunciation is /ɪnˈtɛlədʒəbəl/. In British English it is /ɪnˈtɛlədʒəbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in intelligible?
Intelligible has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEL). Broken into parts: in · TEL · uh · juh · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say intelligible the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪnˈtɛlədʒəbəl/ and the British form is /ɪnˈtɛlədʒəbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.