How to pronounce penalty
Say it like PEN-ul-tee. Penalty has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce penalty. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PEN
- ul
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Penalty pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of penalty
American and British speakers say penalty in essentially the same way: /ˈpɛnəlti/ in the US and /ˈpɛnəlti/ in the UK.
British respelling: PEN-ul-tee.
What does penalty mean?
- the act of punishing
- a payment required for not fulfilling a contract
- the disadvantage or painful consequences of an action or condition“neglected his health and paid the penalty”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying penalty
How do you pronounce penalty?
Say PEN-ul-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɛnəlti/. In British English it is /ˈpɛnəlti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in penalty?
Penalty has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEN). Broken into parts: PEN · ul · tee.
Do Americans and Brits say penalty the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɛnəlti/ and the British form is /ˈpɛnəlti/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.