How to pronounce principal
Say it like PRIN-suh-pul. Principal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRIN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce principal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PRIN
- suh
- pul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Principal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PRINSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- pulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of principal
American and British speakers say principal in essentially the same way: /ˈprɪnsəpəl/ in the US and /ˈprɪnsɪpəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: PRIN-sih-pul.
What does principal mean?
- most important element“the chief aim of living”“the main doors were of solid glass”
- the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
- the educator who has executive authority for a school“she sent unruly pupils to see the principal”
- an actor who plays a principal role
Where does principal come from?
From Middle English principal, from Old French principal, from Latin prīncipālis.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with principal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of principal.
Words that sound like principal
Questions about saying principal
How do you pronounce principal?
Say PRIN-suh-pul. The American pronunciation is /ˈprɪnsəpəl/. In British English it is /ˈprɪnsɪpəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in principal?
Principal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRIN). Broken into parts: PRIN · suh · pul.
Do Americans and Brits say principal the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈprɪnsəpəl/ and the British form is /ˈprɪnsɪpəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as principal?
Principal sounds the same as principle in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.