How to pronounce postdoctoral
Say it like pohst-DAHK-tur-rul. Postdoctoral has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DAHK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce postdoctoral. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pohst
- DAHK
- tur
- rul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Postdoctoral pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pohstGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- DAHKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- turGive this part a little weight.
- rulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of postdoctoral
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: pohst-DOK-tuh-rul.
What does postdoctoral mean?
- Synonym of postdoc.
- After receiving a doctorate; especially of academic research or study beyond the level of a doctoral degree.
Where does postdoctoral come from?
From post- + doctoral.
Questions about saying postdoctoral
How do you pronounce postdoctoral?
Say pohst-DAHK-tur-rul. The American pronunciation is /ˌpoʊstˈdɑkˌtɜrəl/. In British English it is /pəʊstˈdɒktərəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in postdoctoral?
Postdoctoral has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DAHK). Broken into parts: pohst · DAHK · tur · rul.
Is postdoctoral 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 /pəʊstˈdɒktərəl/ (pohst-DOK-tuh-rul).