How to pronounce penal
Say it like PEE-nul. Penal has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce penal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PEE
- nul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Penal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- nulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of penal
American and British speakers say penal in essentially the same way: /ˈpinəl/ in the US and /ˈpiːnəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: PEE-nul.
What does penal mean?
- Of or relating to punishment.“penal servitude”
- Subject to punishment; punishable.“a penal offense”
- Serving as a place of punishment.“a penal colony”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with penal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of penal.
Questions about saying penal
How do you pronounce penal?
Say PEE-nul. The American pronunciation is /ˈpinəl/. In British English it is /ˈpiːnəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in penal?
Penal has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEE). Broken into parts: PEE · nul.
Do Americans and Brits say penal the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpinəl/ and the British form is /ˈpiːnəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.