How to pronounce original
Say it like uh-RIJ-uh-nul. Original has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RIJ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce original. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- RIJ
- uh
- nul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Original pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RIJSay 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.
- nulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of original
American and British speakers say original in essentially the same way: /əˈrɪdʒənəl/ in the US and /əˈrɪdʒɪnəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-RIJ-ih-nul.
What does original mean?
- preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed“the original inhabitants of the Americas”“the book still has its original binding”
- (of e.g. information) not secondhand or by way of something intermediary“his work is based on only original, not secondary, sources”
- being or productive of something fresh and unusual; or being as first made or thought of“a truly original approach”“with original music”
- an original creation (i.e., an audio recording) from which copies can be made
- something that serves as a model or a basis for making copies“this painting is a copy of the original”
Where does original come from?
From Middle English original, from Old French original, from Late Latin orīginālis (“primitive, original”), from Latin orīgō (“beginning, source, origin”), equivalent to origin + -al; see origin.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
- unoriginal
Questions about saying original
How do you pronounce original?
Say uh-RIJ-uh-nul. The American pronunciation is /əˈrɪdʒənəl/. In British English it is /əˈrɪdʒɪnəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in original?
Original has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RIJ). Broken into parts: uh · RIJ · uh · nul.
Do Americans and Brits say original the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈrɪdʒənəl/ and the British form is /əˈrɪdʒɪnəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.