How to pronounce reasonable
Say it like REE-zuh-nuh-bul. Reasonable has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce reasonable. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- REE
- zuh
- nuh
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Reasonable pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- REESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- zuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of reasonable
American and British speakers say reasonable in essentially the same way: /ˈrizənəbəl/ in the US and /ˈriːzənəbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: REE-zuh-nuh-bul.
What does reasonable mean?
- showing reason or sound judgment“a sensible choice”“a sensible person”
- not excessive or extreme“a fairish income”“reasonable prices”
- marked by sound judgment“sane nuclear policy”
Where does reasonable come from?
From Middle English resonable, from Old French resnable, from Classical Latin ratiōnābilis, from ratiō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying reasonable
How do you pronounce reasonable?
Say REE-zuh-nuh-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˈrizənəbəl/. In British English it is /ˈriːzənəbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in reasonable?
Reasonable has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REE). Broken into parts: REE · zuh · nuh · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say reasonable the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈrizənəbəl/ and the British form is /ˈriːzənəbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.