How to pronounce ribald
Say it like RIB-uld. Ribald has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RIB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ribald. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- RIB
- uld
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ribald pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RIBSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uldKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ribald
American and British speakers say ribald in essentially the same way: /ˈrɪbəld/ in the US and /ˈrɪbəld/ in the UK.
British respelling: RIB-uld.
What does ribald mean?
- Coarsely, vulgarly, or lewdly amusing; referring to sexual matters in a rude or irreverent way.
- A person who is filthy or vulgar in nature.
Where does ribald come from?
Related to Old High German rīban (“to rub”), German reiben (“to rub”), Dutch wrijven (“to rub”).
Questions about saying ribald
How do you pronounce ribald?
Say RIB-uld. The American pronunciation is /ˈrɪbəld/. In British English it is /ˈrɪbəld/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ribald?
Ribald has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RIB). Broken into parts: RIB · uld.
Do Americans and Brits say ribald the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈrɪbəld/ and the British form is /ˈrɪbəld/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.