How to pronounce provisional
Say it like pruh-VIZH-uh-nul. Provisional has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VIZH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce provisional. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pruh
- VIZH
- uh
- nul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Provisional pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- VIZHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of provisional
American and British speakers say provisional in essentially the same way: /prəˈvɪʒənəl/ in the US and /prəˈvɪʒənəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: pruh-VIZH-uh-nul.
What does provisional mean?
- under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon“probationary employees”“a provisional government”
Where does provisional come from?
From provision + -al, or else from Middle French provisionnal (modern French provisionnel).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with provisional
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of provisional.
Questions about saying provisional
How do you pronounce provisional?
Say pruh-VIZH-uh-nul. The American pronunciation is /prəˈvɪʒənəl/. In British English it is /prəˈvɪʒənəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in provisional?
Provisional has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VIZH). Broken into parts: pruh · VIZH · uh · nul.
Do Americans and Brits say provisional the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /prəˈvɪʒənəl/ and the British form is /prəˈvɪʒənəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.