How to pronounce rehearsal
Say it like rih-HUR-sul. Rehearsal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce rehearsal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- HUR
- sul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Rehearsal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- HURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- sulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of rehearsal
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: rih-HUR-sul.
What does rehearsal mean?
- a practice session in preparation for a public performance (as of a play or speech or concert)“he missed too many rehearsals”“a rehearsal will be held the day before the wedding”
- (psychology) a form of practice; repetition of information (silently or aloud) in order to keep it in short-term memory
Where does rehearsal come from?
From Middle English rehercel, rehersail, rehersall, from rehersen and apparently partly Middle French rehercel.
Words that rhyme with rehearsal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of rehearsal.
Questions about saying rehearsal
How do you pronounce rehearsal?
Say rih-HUR-sul. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈhɝsəl/. In British English it is /rɪˈhɜːsəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in rehearsal?
Rehearsal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HUR). Broken into parts: rih · HUR · sul.
Is rehearsal pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /rɪˈhɜːsəl/ (rih-HUR-sul).