How to pronounce intentional
Say it like in-TEN-shuh-nul. Intentional has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce intentional. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- TEN
- shuh
- nul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Intentional 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.
- TENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shuhKeep 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 intentional
American and British speakers say intentional in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnˈtɛnʃənəl/ in the US and /ɪnˈtɛnʃənəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-TEN-shuh-nul.
What does intentional mean?
- characterized by conscious design or purpose“intentional damage”“a knowing act of fraud”
- done or made or performed with purpose and intent“style...is more than the deliberate and designed creation”“games designed for all ages”
Where does intentional come from?
Borrowed from Medieval Latin intentiōnālis, from intentiō + -ālis.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with intentional
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of intentional.
Questions about saying intentional
How do you pronounce intentional?
Say in-TEN-shuh-nul. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈtɛnʃənəl/. In British English it is /ɪnˈtɛnʃənəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in intentional?
Intentional has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEN). Broken into parts: in · TEN · shuh · nul.
Do Americans and Brits say intentional the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnˈtɛnʃənəl/ and the British form is /ɪnˈtɛnʃənəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.