How to pronounce particular
Say it like per-TIK-yuh-ler. Particular has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TIK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce particular. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- per
- TIK
- yuh
- ler
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Particular pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- perKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- TIKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- yuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of particular
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: puh-TIK-yuu-luh.
What does particular mean?
- unique or specific to a person or thing or category“the particular demands of the job”“has a particular preference for Chinese art”
- separate and distinct from others of the same group or category“interested in one particular artist”“a man who wishes to make a particular woman fall in love with him”
- surpassing what is common or usual or expected“he paid especial attention to her”“exceptional kindness”
- a fact about some part (as opposed to general)“he always reasons from the particular to the general”
- a small part that can be considered separately from the whole“it was perfect in all details”
- (logic) a proposition that asserts something about some (but not all) members of a class
Where does particular come from?
From Middle English particuler, from Anglo-Norman particuler, Middle French particuler, particulier, from Late Latin particularis (“partial; separate, individual”), from Latin particula (“(small) part”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with particular
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of particular.
Questions about saying particular
How do you pronounce particular?
Say per-TIK-yuh-ler. The American pronunciation is /pɚˈtɪkjəlɚ/. In British English it is /pəˈtɪkjʊlə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in particular?
Particular has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TIK). Broken into parts: per · TIK · yuh · ler.
Is particular 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 /pəˈtɪkjʊlə/ (puh-TIK-yuu-luh).