How to pronounce intolerable
Say it like in-TAH-luh-ruh-bul. Intolerable has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce intolerable. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- TAH
- luh
- ruh
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Intolerable 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.
- TAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ruhKeep 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 intolerable
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: in-TOL-uh-ruh-bul.
What does intolerable mean?
- Not tolerable; not capable of being borne or endured.
- Extremely offensive or insulting.
- Extremely worn and degraded, to the point of being unsafe.
Where does intolerable come from?
Inherited from Middle English intolerable, borrowed from Middle French intolerable, from Latin intolerābilis.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying intolerable
How do you pronounce intolerable?
Say in-TAH-luh-ruh-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈtɑlərəbəl/. In British English it is /ɪnˈtɒlərəbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in intolerable?
Intolerable has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAH). Broken into parts: in · TAH · luh · ruh · bul.
Is intolerable pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ɪnˈtɒlərəbəl/ (in-TOL-uh-ruh-bul).