How to pronounce opal
Say it like OH-pul. Opal has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce opal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈoʊpəl/OH-pul
UK British/ˈəʊpəl/OH-pul
- OH
- pul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Opal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- pulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of opal
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: OH-pul.
What does opal mean?
noun
- A mineral consisting, like quartz, of silica, but inferior to quartz in hardness and specific gravity, of the chemical formula SiO₂·nH₂O.
- A precious gem, an iridescent gemstone found in the opal-silica mineral substrate (potch)
- The color of opal: any shade of blue with bright flecks of other colors, such as white, yellow, and red.
Questions about saying opal
How do you pronounce opal?
Say OH-pul. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊpəl/. In British English it is /ˈəʊpəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in opal?
Opal has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · pul.
Is opal 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 /ˈəʊpəl/ (OH-pul).