How to pronounce scandal
Say it like SKAN-dul. Scandal has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SKAN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce scandal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SKAN
- dul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Scandal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SKANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- dulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of scandal
American and British speakers say scandal in essentially the same way: /ˈskændəl/ in the US and /ˈskændəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: SKAN-dul.
What does scandal mean?
- disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people
- a disgraceful event
Where does scandal come from?
Sense evolution from "cause of stumbling, that which causes one to sin, stumbling block" to "discredit to reputation, that which brings shame, thing of disgrace" is possibly due to early influence from other similar sounding words for infam
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with scandal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of scandal.
Questions about saying scandal
How do you pronounce scandal?
Say SKAN-dul. The American pronunciation is /ˈskændəl/. In British English it is /ˈskændəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in scandal?
Scandal has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SKAN). Broken into parts: SKAN · dul.
Do Americans and Brits say scandal the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈskændəl/ and the British form is /ˈskændəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.