How to pronounce rule
Say it like ROOL. Rule is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- ROOL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Rule pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ROOLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of rule
American and British speakers say rule in essentially the same way: /rul/ in the US and /ruːl/ in the UK.
British respelling: ROOL.
What does rule mean?
- A regulation, law, guideline.“All participants must adhere to the rules.”
- A regulating principle.
- The act of ruling; administration of law; government; empire; authority; control.
- To regulate, be in charge of, make decisions for, reign over.
- To excel.“This game rules!”
- To decide judicially.
Where does rule come from?
From Middle English reule, rewle, rule, borrowed from Old French riule, reule, from Latin regula (“straight stick, bar, ruler, pattern”), from regō (“to keep straight, direct, govern, rule”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₃réǵeti (“
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with rule
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of rule.
Questions about saying rule
How do you pronounce rule?
Say ROOL. The American pronunciation is /rul/. In British English it is /ruːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in rule?
Rule is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: ROOL.
Do Americans and Brits say rule the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rul/ and the British form is /ruːl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.