How to pronounce quadrilateral
Say it like kwah-druh-LAT-uh-rul. Quadrilateral has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LAT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce quadrilateral. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kwah
- druh
- LAT
- uh
- rul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Quadrilateral pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kwahGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- druhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LATSay 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 quadrilateral
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: kwod-rih-LAT-uh-rul.
What does quadrilateral mean?
- A polygon with four sides.
- An area defended by four fortresses supporting each other.“The Venetian quadrilateral comprised Mantua, Peschiera, Verona, and Legnano.”
- Having four sides.“They spoke at a quadrilateral meeting of the trade ministers of the United States, the European Union, Canada, and Japan.”
Where does quadrilateral come from?
Learned borrowing from New Latin quadrilaterus + -al.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with quadrilateral
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of quadrilateral.
Questions about saying quadrilateral
How do you pronounce quadrilateral?
Say kwah-druh-LAT-uh-rul. The American pronunciation is /ˌkwɑdrəˈlætərəl/. In British English it is /ˌkwɒdrɪˈlætərəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in quadrilateral?
Quadrilateral has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LAT). Broken into parts: kwah · druh · LAT · uh · rul.
Is quadrilateral 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 /ˌkwɒdrɪˈlætərəl/ (kwod-rih-LAT-uh-rul).