How to pronounce pearl
Say it like PURL. Pearl is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pearl. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PURL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pearl pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PURLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of pearl
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PURL.
What does pearl mean?
- a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel
- a shade of white the color of bleached bones
- a shape that is spherical and small“he studied the shapes of low-viscosity drops”“beads of sweat on his forehead”
- gather pearls, from oysters in the ocean
Where does pearl come from?
Inherited from Middle English perle, from Old French perle of uncertain etymology.
Words that rhyme with pearl
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of pearl.
Questions about saying pearl
How do you pronounce pearl?
Say PURL. The American pronunciation is /pɝl/. In British English it is /pɜːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pearl?
Pearl is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: PURL.
Is pearl 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 /pɜːl/ (PURL).