How to pronounce philosophical
Say it like fil-uh-SAH-fih-kul. Philosophical has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce philosophical. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- fil
- uh
- SAH
- fih
- kul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Philosophical pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- filGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- fihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of philosophical
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: fil-uh-SOF-ih-kul.
What does philosophical mean?
- of or relating to philosophy or philosophers“philosophical writing”“a considerable knowledge of philosophical terminology”
- characterized by the attitude of a philosopher; meeting trouble with level-headed detachment“philosophical resignation”“a philosophic attitude toward life”
Words that rhyme with philosophical
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of philosophical.
Questions about saying philosophical
How do you pronounce philosophical?
Say fil-uh-SAH-fih-kul. The American pronunciation is /ˌfɪləˈsɑfɪkəl/. In British English it is /ˌfɪləˈsɒfɪkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in philosophical?
Philosophical has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SAH). Broken into parts: fil · uh · SAH · fih · kul.
Is philosophical pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˌfɪləˈsɒfɪkəl/ (fil-uh-SOF-ih-kul).