How to pronounce loyal
Say it like LOY-ul. Loyal has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LOY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce loyal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LOY
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Loyal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LOYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oy" in boy.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of loyal
American and British speakers say loyal in essentially the same way: /ˈlɔɪəl/ in the US and /ˈlɔɪəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: LOY-ul.
What does loyal mean?
- steadfast in allegiance or duty“loyal subjects”“loyal friends stood by him”
- inspired by love for your country
- unwavering in devotion to friend or vow or cause“a firm ally”“loyal supporters”
Where does loyal come from?
Borrowed from Middle French loyal, from Old French loial, leial, leal, from Latin lēgālis.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with loyal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of loyal.
Questions about saying loyal
How do you pronounce loyal?
Say LOY-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɔɪəl/. In British English it is /ˈlɔɪəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in loyal?
Loyal has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LOY). Broken into parts: LOY · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say loyal the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlɔɪəl/ and the British form is /ˈlɔɪəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.