How to pronounce maxilla
Say it like mak-SIL-uh. Maxilla has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce maxilla. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- mak
- SIL
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Maxilla pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- makKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- SILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of maxilla
American and British speakers say maxilla in essentially the same way: /mækˈsɪlə/ in the US and /mækˈsɪlə/ in the UK.
British respelling: mak-SIL-uh.
What does maxilla mean?
- An upper jaw especially of humans and other mammals in which the bony elements are closely fused.
- Either of the two bones that lie with one on each side of the upper jaw lateral to the premaxilla and that in higher vertebrates bear most of the teeth.
- One of the first or second pair of mouthparts posterior to the mandibles in many arthropods that are used for tasting and manipulating food.
Where does maxilla come from?
From Middle English, from Latin māxilla (“the jawbone, jaw”), diminutive of māla (“the cheekbone, jaw”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with maxilla
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of maxilla.
Questions about saying maxilla
How do you pronounce maxilla?
Say mak-SIL-uh. The American pronunciation is /mækˈsɪlə/. In British English it is /mækˈsɪlə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in maxilla?
Maxilla has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SIL). Broken into parts: mak · SIL · uh.
Do Americans and Brits say maxilla the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /mækˈsɪlə/ and the British form is /mækˈsɪlə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.