How to pronounce parallel
Say it like PER-uh-lel. Parallel has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce parallel. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PER
- uh
- lel
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Parallel pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lelGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of parallel
American and British speakers say parallel in essentially the same way: /ˈpɛrəˌlɛl/ in the US and /ˈpærəˌlɛl/ in the UK.
British respelling: PAR-uh-lel.
What does parallel mean?
- something having the property of being analogous to something else
- an imaginary line around the Earth parallel to the equator
- (mathematics) one of a set of parallel geometric figures (parallel lines or planes)“parallels never meet”
- be parallel to“Their roles are paralleled by ours”
- make or place parallel to something“They paralleled the ditch to the highway”
- duplicate or match“The polished surface twinned his face and chest in reverse”
- being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting“parallel lines never converge”“concentric circles are parallel”
- of or relating to the simultaneous performance of multiple operations“parallel processing”
Where does parallel come from?
From Middle French parallèle and its etymon Latin parallēlus, parallēlos.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying parallel
How do you pronounce parallel?
Say PER-uh-lel. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɛrəˌlɛl/. In British English it is /ˈpærəˌlɛl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in parallel?
Parallel has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PER). Broken into parts: PER · uh · lel.
Do Americans and Brits say parallel the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɛrəˌlɛl/ and the British form is /ˈpærəˌlɛl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.