How to pronounce opalescent
Say it like oh-puh-LES-unt. Opalescent has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce opalescent. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- puh
- LES
- unt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Opalescent pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- untKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of opalescent
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: oh-puh-LES-unt.
What does opalescent mean?
- Exhibiting a milky iridescence like that of an opal.
Where does opalescent come from?
From opal + -escent, after opalescence or French opalescent.
Words that rhyme with opalescent
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of opalescent.
- adolescent
- crescent
- fluorescent
- incessant
- incandescent
- antidepressant
- iridescent
- pubescent
- convalescent
- depressant
Questions about saying opalescent
How do you pronounce opalescent?
Say oh-puh-LES-unt. The American pronunciation is /oʊpəˈlɛsənt/. In British English it is /əʊpəˈlɛsənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in opalescent?
Opalescent has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LES). Broken into parts: oh · puh · LES · unt.
Is opalescent 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 /əʊpəˈlɛsənt/ (oh-puh-LES-unt).