How to pronounce particle
Say it like PAR-tuh-kul. Particle has three 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 particle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAR
- tuh
- kul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Particle 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.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of particle
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PAH-tih-kul.
What does particle mean?
- (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
- a body having finite mass and internal structure but negligible dimensions
- a function word that can be used in English to form phrasal verbs
Where does particle come from?
From Middle French particule, and its source, Latin particula (“small part, particle”), diminutive of pars (“part, piece”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying particle
How do you pronounce particle?
Say PAR-tuh-kul. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɑrtəkəl/. In British English it is /ˈpɑːtɪkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in particle?
Particle has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAR). Broken into parts: PAR · tuh · kul.
Is particle 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 /ˈpɑːtɪkəl/ (PAH-tih-kul).