How to pronounce noel
Say it like noh-EL. Noel has two 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 noel. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- noh
- EL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Noel pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- nohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- ELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of noel
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: noh-EL.
What does noel mean?
- A kind of hymn, or canticle, of mediaeval origin, sung in honor of the birth of Christ; a Christmas carol.
Where does noel come from?
From Middle English nowel, from Anglo-Norman noel, Middle French noel, a variant of nael, from Latin adjective nātālis (“natal, having to do with birth”).
Words that rhyme with noel
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of noel.
Questions about saying noel
How do you pronounce noel?
Say noh-EL. The American pronunciation is /noʊˈɛl/. In British English it is /nəʊˈɛl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in noel?
Noel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (EL). Broken into parts: noh · EL.
Is noel 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 /nəʊˈɛl/ (noh-EL).