How to pronounce needle
Say it like NEE-dul. Needle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce needle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NEE
- dul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Needle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- dulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of needle
American and British speakers say needle in essentially the same way: /ˈnidəl/ in the US and /ˈniːdəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: NEE-dul.
What does needle mean?
- the leaf of a conifer
- a slender pointer for indicating the reading on the scale of a measuring instrument
- a sharp pointed implement (usually steel)
- annoy or provoke, as by constant criticism“He needled her with his sarcastic remarks”
- prick with a needle
Words that rhyme with needle
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of needle.
Questions about saying needle
How do you pronounce needle?
Say NEE-dul. The American pronunciation is /ˈnidəl/. In British English it is /ˈniːdəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in needle?
Needle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NEE). Broken into parts: NEE · dul.
Do Americans and Brits say needle the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈnidəl/ and the British form is /ˈniːdəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.