How to pronounce popular
Say it like PAH-pyuh-ler. Popular has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce popular. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAH
- pyuh
- ler
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Popular pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- pyuhKeep 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 popular
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: POP-yuu-luh.
What does popular mean?
- regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public“a popular tourist attraction”“a popular girl”
- carried on by or for the people (or citizens) at large“the popular vote”“popular representation”
- representing or appealing to or adapted for the benefit of the people at large“democratic art forms”“a democratic or popular movement”
Where does popular come from?
Inherited from Middle English populer, borrowed from Old French populaire, or borrowed from Latin populāris.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying popular
How do you pronounce popular?
Say PAH-pyuh-ler. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɑpjəlɚ/. In British English it is /ˈpɒpjʊlə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in popular?
Popular has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAH). Broken into parts: PAH · pyuh · ler.
Is popular 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 /ˈpɒpjʊlə/ (POP-yuu-luh).