How to pronounce rectangle
Say it like REK-tang-gul. Rectangle has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce rectangle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- REK
- tang
- gul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Rectangle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- REKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tangKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- gulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of rectangle
American and British speakers say rectangle in essentially the same way: /ˈrɛktæŋɡəl/ in the US and /ˈrɛktæŋɡəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: REK-tang-gul.
What does rectangle mean?
- Any quadrilateral having opposing sides parallel and four right angles.
- Such a quadrilateral that is oblong (longer than it is wide): one that is not regular (equilateral), that is, any except a square.
Where does rectangle come from?
Borrowed from Middle French, from Old French, from Medieval Latin or Late Latin rectangulum (“right angle”), from Latin rectus (“right”) + angulus (“an angle”).
Questions about saying rectangle
How do you pronounce rectangle?
Say REK-tang-gul. The American pronunciation is /ˈrɛktæŋɡəl/. In British English it is /ˈrɛktæŋɡəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in rectangle?
Rectangle has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REK). Broken into parts: REK · tang · gul.
Do Americans and Brits say rectangle the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈrɛktæŋɡəl/ and the British form is /ˈrɛktæŋɡəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.