How to pronounce ordeal
Say it like or-DEEL. Ordeal has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DEEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ordeal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- or
- DEEL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ordeal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- orKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- DEELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of ordeal
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 1.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: AW-deel.
What does ordeal mean?
- A painful or trying experience.
- The poisonous ordeal bean or Calabar bean.
Where does ordeal come from?
Cognate with Saterland Frisian Uurdeel (“judgment; verdict”), West Frisian oardiel (“judgment”), Dutch oordeel (“judgment, discretion”), Low German Oordeel (“judgment; verdict”), German Urteil (“judgment, verdict”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with ordeal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ordeal.
Questions about saying ordeal
How do you pronounce ordeal?
Say or-DEEL. The American pronunciation is /ɔrˈdil/. In British English it is /ˈɔːdiːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ordeal?
Ordeal has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DEEL). Broken into parts: or · DEEL.
Is ordeal pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 1. The British form is /ˈɔːdiːl/ (AW-deel).