How to pronounce mechanical
Say it like muh-KAN-ih-kul. Mechanical has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce mechanical. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- muh
- KAN
- ih
- kul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mechanical pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- KANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of mechanical
American and British speakers say mechanical in essentially the same way: /məˈkænɪkəl/ in the US and /mɪˈkænɪkəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: mih-KAN-ih-kul.
What does mechanical mean?
- using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices“a mechanical process”“his smile was very mechanical”
- relating to or concerned with machinery or tools“mechanical arts”“mechanical design”
- relating to or governed by or in accordance with mechanics“a belief that the universe is a mechanical contrivance”“the mechanical pressure of a strong wind”
Where does mechanical come from?
From Middle English mechanical, mechanicalle, mechanycalle, equivalent to mechanic + -al.
Words that rhyme with mechanical
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of mechanical.
Questions about saying mechanical
How do you pronounce mechanical?
Say muh-KAN-ih-kul. The American pronunciation is /məˈkænɪkəl/. In British English it is /mɪˈkænɪkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mechanical?
Mechanical has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAN). Broken into parts: muh · KAN · ih · kul.
Do Americans and Brits say mechanical the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /məˈkænɪkəl/ and the British form is /mɪˈkænɪkəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.