How to pronounce phenol
Say it like FEE-nawl. Phenol has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce phenol. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FEE
- nawl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Phenol pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- nawlGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of phenol
American and British speakers say phenol in essentially the same way: /ˈfiˌnɔl/ in the US and /ˈfiːnɒl/ in the UK.
British respelling: FEE-nol.
What does phenol mean?
- A caustic, poisonous, white crystalline compound, C₆H₅OH, derived from benzene and used in resins, plastics, and pharmaceuticals and in dilute form as a disinfectant and antiseptic; once called carbolic acid
- Any of a class of aromatic organic compounds having at least one hydroxyl group attached directly to the benzene ring (or other aromatic ring)
Where does phenol come from?
By surface analysis, pheno- + -ol.
Questions about saying phenol
How do you pronounce phenol?
Say FEE-nawl. The American pronunciation is /ˈfiˌnɔl/. In British English it is /ˈfiːnɒl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in phenol?
Phenol has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FEE). Broken into parts: FEE · nawl.
Do Americans and Brits say phenol the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈfiˌnɔl/ and the British form is /ˈfiːnɒl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.