How to pronounce rebel
Say it like REB-ul. Rebel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce rebel. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- REB
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Rebel pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- REBSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of rebel
American and British speakers say rebel in essentially the same way: /ˈrɛbəl/ in the US and /ˈrɛbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: REB-ul.
Other ways to say rebel
Rebel also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- rih-BEL /rɪˈbɛl/
What does rebel mean?
- a person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority (especially in the hope of improving conditions)
- someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action
- Johnny was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; greyback derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
- take part in a rebellion; renounce a former allegiance
- break with established customs
Where does rebel come from?
From Middle English rebel, rebell, from Old French rebelle, from Latin rebellis (“waging war again; insurgent”), from rebellō (“to wage war again, fight back”), from re- (“again, back”) + bellō (“to wage war”).
Words that rhyme with rebel
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of rebel.
Questions about saying rebel
How do you pronounce rebel?
Say REB-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈrɛbəl/. In British English it is /ˈrɛbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in rebel?
Rebel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REB). Broken into parts: REB · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say rebel the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈrɛbəl/ and the British form is /ˈrɛbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.