How to pronounce parcel
Say it like PAR-sul. Parcel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce parcel. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAR
- sul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Parcel pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- sulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of parcel
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PAH-sul.
What does parcel mean?
- a wrapped container
- the allotment of some amount by dividing something“death gets more than its share of attention from theologians”
- an extended area of land
- divide into parts“The developers parceled the land”
- cover with strips of canvas“parcel rope”
- make into a wrapped container
Where does parcel come from?
From Middle English parcel, from Old French parcelle (“a small piece or part, a parcel, a particle”), from Late Latin particella, diminutive of Latin particula (“particle”), diminutive of partem (“part, piece”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with parcel
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of parcel.
Questions about saying parcel
How do you pronounce parcel?
Say PAR-sul. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɑrsəl/. In British English it is /ˈpɑːsəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in parcel?
Parcel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAR). Broken into parts: PAR · sul.
Is parcel pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈpɑːsəl/ (PAH-sul).