How to pronounce menial
Say it like MEE-nee-ul. Menial 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 menial. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MEE
- nee
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Menial 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.
- neeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of menial
American and British speakers say menial in essentially the same way: /ˈminiəl/ in the US and /ˈmiːniəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: MEE-nee-ul.
What does menial mean?
- Of or relating to work normally performed by a servant.
- Of or relating to unskilled work.“menial job”
- Servile; low; mean.“a menial wretch”
- A servant, especially a domestic servant.
- A person who has a subservient nature.
Where does menial come from?
From Middle English meyneal, from Anglo-Norman mesnal, from maisnee (“household”), from Vulgar Latin *mānsiōnāta, from Latin mānsiō (“house”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying menial
How do you pronounce menial?
Say MEE-nee-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈminiəl/. In British English it is /ˈmiːniəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in menial?
Menial has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MEE). Broken into parts: MEE · nee · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say menial the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈminiəl/ and the British form is /ˈmiːniəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.