How to pronounce rattle
Say it like RAT-ul. Rattle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RAT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce rattle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- RAT
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Rattle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RATSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of rattle
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: RAT-ul.
What does rattle mean?
- To create a rattling sound by shaking or striking.“to rattle a chain”
- To scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve.
- To make a rattling noise; to make noise by or from shaking.“I wish the dashboard in my car would quit rattling.”
- Any of various plants of the genera Rhinanthus and Pedicularis, whose seeds produce a rattling noise in the wind.
- A baby’s toy designed to make sound when shaken, usually containing loose grains or pellets in a hollow container.
- A musical instrument that makes a rattling sound.
Where does rattle come from?
From Middle English ratelen, of uncertain origin; perhaps borrowed from Middle Dutch ratelen or of native origin related to Old English hratele, hrætele (“a plant known for its rustling or rattling sound”), ultimately imitative.
Words that rhyme with rattle
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of rattle.
Questions about saying rattle
How do you pronounce rattle?
Say RAT-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈrætəl/. In British English it is /ˈrætəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in rattle?
Rattle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RAT). Broken into parts: RAT · ul.
Is rattle pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈrætəl/ (RAT-ul).