How to pronounce muscle
Say it like MUHS-ul. Muscle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MUHS).
- MUHS
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: The c is silent. Muscle sounds exactly like mussel.
Muscle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MUHSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of muscle
American and British speakers say muscle in essentially the same way: /ˈmʌsəl/ in the US and /ˈmʌsəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: MUHS-ul.
What does muscle mean?
- A contractile form of tissue which animals use to effect movement.“Muscle consists largely of actin and myosin filaments.”
- An organ composed of muscle tissue.
- A well-developed physique, in which the muscles are enlarged from exercise.
- To use force to make progress, especially physical force.“He muscled his way through the crowd.”
- To move forcefully or with great strength.“She muscled through the ruins.”
Where does muscle come from?
From Middle English muscle, muscule, muskylle, and in part from Middle French muscle, from Latin mūsculus (“a muscle”, literally “little mouse”) because of the mouselike appearance of some muscles, from mūs (“mouse”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- thew
- musculus
- muscular tissue
- muscleman
Words that rhyme with muscle
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of muscle.
Words that sound like muscle
Questions about saying muscle
How do you pronounce muscle?
Say MUHS-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈmʌsəl/. In British English it is /ˈmʌsəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in muscle?
Muscle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MUHS). Broken into parts: MUHS · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say muscle the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmʌsəl/ and the British form is /ˈmʌsəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as muscle?
Muscle sounds the same as mussel in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.