How to pronounce occipital
Say it like ok-SIP-uh-tul. Occipital has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SIP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce occipital. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ok
- SIP
- uh
- tul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Occipital pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- okKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- SIPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of occipital
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: ok-SIP-ih-tul.
What does occipital mean?
- Of, pertaining to, or located within or near the occiput (back of the head) or the occipital bone.
- An occipital scale in reptiles.
Where does occipital come from?
Borrowing from Middle French occipital, from Medieval Latin occipitālis, from occiput (“the back of the head, occiput”) + -ālis (“-al”, adjectival suffix), equivalent of occiput + -al.
Words that rhyme with occipital
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of occipital.
Questions about saying occipital
How do you pronounce occipital?
Say ok-SIP-uh-tul. The American pronunciation is /ɑkˈsɪpətəl/. In British English it is /ɒkˈsɪpɪtəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in occipital?
Occipital has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SIP). Broken into parts: ok · SIP · uh · tul.
Is occipital pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ɒkˈsɪpɪtəl/ (ok-SIP-ih-tul).