How to pronounce parenthetical
Say it like puh-ren-THET-ih-kul. Parenthetical has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (THET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce parenthetical. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- puh
- ren
- THET
- ih
- kul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Parenthetical pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- renKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- THETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of parenthetical
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 3, while British speakers stress syllable 1.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: PAR-un-thet-ih-kul.
What does parenthetical mean?
- A word or phrase within parentheses.
- A descriptor or modifier enclosed within parentheses and put, indented, in a line of dialogue to describe how it should be acted or directed onscreen.
- Using, containing, or within parenthesis.“You wrote "Bob (my best friend) works in finance", but I think you should rephrase that parenthetical part.”
- Explaining or qualifying something.
- Incidental.
Words that rhyme with parenthetical
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of parenthetical.
Questions about saying parenthetical
How do you pronounce parenthetical?
Say puh-ren-THET-ih-kul. The American pronunciation is /pərɛnˈθɛtɪkəl/. In British English it is /ˈpærənθɛtɪkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in parenthetical?
Parenthetical has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (THET). Broken into parts: puh · ren · THET · ih · kul.
Is parenthetical pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 3, while British speakers stress syllable 1. The British form is /ˈpærənθɛtɪkəl/ (PAR-un-thet-ih-kul).