How to pronounce niello
Say it like nee-EL-oh. Niello has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (EL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce niello. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- nee
- EL
- oh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Niello pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- neeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of niello
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: nee-EL-oh.
What does niello mean?
- Any of various black metal alloys, made of sulfur with copper, silver or lead, used to create decorative designs on other metals.
- An impression on paper taken from the engraved or incised surface before the niello alloy has been inlaid.
- To decorate (a surface) using this technique.
Where does niello come from?
Borrowed from Italian niello, from Latin nigellus (“blackish”).
Words that rhyme with niello
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of niello.
Questions about saying niello
How do you pronounce niello?
Say nee-EL-oh. The American pronunciation is /niˈɛloʊ/. In British English it is /niˈɛləʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in niello?
Niello has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (EL). Broken into parts: nee · EL · oh.
Is niello 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 /niˈɛləʊ/ (nee-EL-oh).