How to pronounce meaningful
Say it like MEE-ning-ful. Meaningful has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce meaningful. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MEE
- ning
- ful
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Meaningful pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ningKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- fulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of meaningful
American and British speakers say meaningful in essentially the same way: /ˈminɪŋfəl/ in the US and /ˈmiːnɪŋfəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: MEE-ning-ful.
What does meaningful mean?
- having a meaning or purpose“a meaningful explanation”“a meaningful discussion”
Where does meaningful come from?
From meaning + -ful.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying meaningful
How do you pronounce meaningful?
Say MEE-ning-ful. The American pronunciation is /ˈminɪŋfəl/. In British English it is /ˈmiːnɪŋfəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in meaningful?
Meaningful has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MEE). Broken into parts: MEE · ning · ful.
Do Americans and Brits say meaningful the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈminɪŋfəl/ and the British form is /ˈmiːnɪŋfəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.