How to pronounce merlin
Say it like MUR-lin. Merlin has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce merlin. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MUR
- lin
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Merlin pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- linKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of merlin
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: MUR-lin.
What does merlin mean?
- A small falcon, Falco columbarius, that breeds in northern North America, Europe, and Asia.
- A cytoskeletal protein active in the suppression of tumors.
Where does merlin come from?
From Middle English merlioun, merlion, marlyon, merlyon, merlinge, from Old French emerillon, esmerillon, from Old Frankish *smiril (“falcon, hawk”), from Proto-Germanic *smirilaz (“falcon, merlin”).
Questions about saying merlin
How do you pronounce merlin?
Say MUR-lin. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɝlɪn/. In British English it is /ˈmɜːlɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in merlin?
Merlin has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MUR). Broken into parts: MUR · lin.
Is merlin pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈmɜːlɪn/ (MUR-lin).