How to pronounce penitential
Say it like pen-ih-TEN-shul. Penitential has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TEN).
- pen
- ih
- TEN
- shul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Penitential pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- penGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- TENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of penitential
American and British speakers say penitential in essentially the same way: /ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃəl/ in the US and /ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: pen-ih-TEN-shul.
What does penitential mean?
- Pertaining to penance or penitence.
- A book or set of rules pertaining to the Christian sacrament of penance.
Where does penitential come from?
From Medieval Latin paenitentiālis, from Latin paenitentia (“repentance”).
Words that rhyme with penitential
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of penitential.
- potential
- essential
- presidential
- residential
- influential
- confidential
- differential
- existential
- exponential
- sequential
Questions about saying penitential
How do you pronounce penitential?
Say pen-ih-TEN-shul. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃəl/. In British English it is /ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in penitential?
Penitential has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TEN). Broken into parts: pen · ih · TEN · shul.
Do Americans and Brits say penitential the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃəl/ and the British form is /ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.