How to pronounce perpendicular
Say it like pur-pun-DIK-yuh-ler. Perpendicular has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (DIK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce perpendicular. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pur
- pun
- DIK
- yuh
- ler
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Perpendicular pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- purGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- punKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- DIKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- yuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of perpendicular
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: pur-pun-DIK-yuh-luh.
What does perpendicular mean?
- A line or plane that is perpendicular to another.
- A device such as a plumb line that is used in making or marking a perpendicular line.
- At or forming a right angle (to something).“In most houses, the walls are perpendicular to the floor.”
- Exactly upright; extending in a straight line toward the center of the earth, etc.
- Independent of or irrelevant to each other; orthogonal.
Where does perpendicular come from?
Derived from Middle French perpendiculaire, from Old French perpendiculer, from Latin perpendiculum (“plumb line”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with perpendicular
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of perpendicular.
Questions about saying perpendicular
How do you pronounce perpendicular?
Say pur-pun-DIK-yuh-ler. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɝpənˈdɪkjəlɚ/. In British English it is /ˌpɜːpənˈdɪkjələ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in perpendicular?
Perpendicular has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (DIK). Broken into parts: pur · pun · DIK · yuh · ler.
Is perpendicular 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 /ˌpɜːpənˈdɪkjələ/ (pur-pun-DIK-yuh-luh).