How to pronounce refusal
Say it like ruh-FYOO-zul. Refusal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FYOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce refusal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ruh
- FYOO
- zul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Refusal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- FYOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- zulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of refusal
American and British speakers say refusal in essentially the same way: /rəˈfjuzəl/ in the US and /rɪˈfjuːzəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-FYOO-zul.
What does refusal mean?
- the act of refusing
- a message refusing to accept something that is offered
Where does refusal come from?
Inherited from Middle English refusell.
Words that rhyme with refusal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of refusal.
Questions about saying refusal
How do you pronounce refusal?
Say ruh-FYOO-zul. The American pronunciation is /rəˈfjuzəl/. In British English it is /rɪˈfjuːzəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in refusal?
Refusal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FYOO). Broken into parts: ruh · FYOO · zul.
Do Americans and Brits say refusal the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rəˈfjuzəl/ and the British form is /rɪˈfjuːzəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.