How to pronounce piecemeal
Say it like PEES-meel. Piecemeal has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce piecemeal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PEES
- meel
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Piecemeal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PEESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- meelKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of piecemeal
American and British speakers say piecemeal in essentially the same way: /ˈpismil/ in the US and /ˈpiːsmiːl/ in the UK.
British respelling: PEES-meel.
What does piecemeal mean?
- Made or done in pieces or one stage at a time.“a piecemeal approach”
- Piece by piece; in small amounts, stages, or degrees.
- Into pieces or parts.
- To divide or distribute piecemeal; dismember.
Where does piecemeal come from?
From Middle English pecemele, from pece (“piece”) + mele (from Old English mǣlum (“at a time”), dative plural form of mǣl (“time, measure”), taking the place of Old English styċċemǣlum (“in pieces, bit by bit, piecemeal; to pieces, to bits;
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying piecemeal
How do you pronounce piecemeal?
Say PEES-meel. The American pronunciation is /ˈpismil/. In British English it is /ˈpiːsmiːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in piecemeal?
Piecemeal has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEES). Broken into parts: PEES · meel.
Do Americans and Brits say piecemeal the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpismil/ and the British form is /ˈpiːsmiːl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.