How to pronounce motel
Say it like moh-TEL. Motel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce motel. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- moh
- TEL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Motel pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- mohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- TELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of motel
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: moh-TEL.
What does motel mean?
- a motor hotel
Where does motel come from?
Blend of motor + hotel, from the original Motel Inn of San Luis Obispo in California, United States, established in 1925 by Arthur Heineman (1878–1974).
Words that rhyme with motel
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of motel.
Questions about saying motel
How do you pronounce motel?
Say moh-TEL. The American pronunciation is /moʊˈtɛl/. In British English it is /məʊˈtɛl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in motel?
Motel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEL). Broken into parts: moh · TEL.
Is motel pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /məʊˈtɛl/ (moh-TEL).