How to pronounce preternatural
Say it like pree-ter-NACH-uh-rul. Preternatural has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NACH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce preternatural. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pree
- ter
- NACH
- uh
- rul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Preternatural pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- preeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- NACHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of preternatural
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: pree-tuh-NACH-uh-rul.
What does preternatural mean?
- Beyond or not conforming to what is natural or according to the regular course of things; strange.
- Having an existence outside the natural world.
Where does preternatural come from?
From preter- + natural, after Latin prēternātūrālis/praeternātūrālis, from praeter nātūram, from praeter (“beyond”) + nātūra (“nature”); compare supernatural.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with preternatural
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of preternatural.
Questions about saying preternatural
How do you pronounce preternatural?
Say pree-ter-NACH-uh-rul. The American pronunciation is /ˌpritɚˈnætʃərəl/. In British English it is /ˌpriːtəˈnætʃərəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in preternatural?
Preternatural has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NACH). Broken into parts: pree · ter · NACH · uh · rul.
Is preternatural 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 /ˌpriːtəˈnætʃərəl/ (pree-tuh-NACH-uh-rul).