How to pronounce paternal
Say it like puh-TUR-nul. Paternal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce paternal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- puh
- TUR
- nul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Paternal 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.
- TURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- nulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of paternal
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: puh-TUR-nul.
What does paternal mean?
- Of or pertaining to one's father, his genes, his relatives, or his side of a family.“paternal grandfather”
- Fatherly; behaving as or characteristic of a father.
- Received or inherited from one's father.
- A person related through the father, or his side of the family; a paternal relative.
Where does paternal come from?
From Old French paternal (“of a father”) (12th c.), from Vulgar Latin paternālis (“paternal”), from Latin paternus (“of or pertaining to a father, paternal”), from pater (“father”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with paternal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of paternal.
Questions about saying paternal
How do you pronounce paternal?
Say puh-TUR-nul. The American pronunciation is /pəˈtɝnəl/. In British English it is /pəˈtɜːnəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in paternal?
Paternal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TUR). Broken into parts: puh · TUR · nul.
Is paternal 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 /pəˈtɜːnəl/ (puh-TUR-nul).