How to pronounce missile
Say it like MIS-ul. Missile has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MIS).
- MIS
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: Americans reduce the ending ('MISS-ul'); Britons rhyme it with aisle ('MISS-ile').
Missile pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MISSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of missile
American and British speakers say missile in essentially the same way: /ˈmɪsəl/ in the US and /ˈmɪsaɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: MIS-eyel.
What does missile mean?
- Any object used as a weapon by being thrown or fired through the air, such as stone, arrow or bullet.“The Rhodians, who used leaden bullets, were able to project their missiles twice as far as the Persian slingers, who used large stones.”
- A self-propelled projectile whose trajectory can be adjusted after it is launched.“That missile is explosive enough to kill hundreds.”
Where does missile come from?
From Latin missile (“thrown weapon, projectile”), neuter of missilis (“throwable, capable of being thrown”), from mittere (“to send”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with missile
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of missile.
Questions about saying missile
How do you pronounce missile?
Say MIS-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɪsəl/. In British English it is /ˈmɪsaɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in missile?
Missile has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MIS). Broken into parts: MIS · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say missile the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmɪsəl/ and the British form is /ˈmɪsaɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.