How to pronounce seminal
Say it like SEM-uh-nul. Seminal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce seminal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SEM
- uh
- nul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Seminal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SEMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of seminal
American and British speakers say seminal in essentially the same way: /ˈsɛmənəl/ in the US and /ˈsɛmənəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: SEM-uh-nul.
What does seminal mean?
- Creative or having the power to originate.
- Highly influential, especially in some original way, and providing a basis for future development or research.“"The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" was a seminal work in the modern philosophy of science.”
Where does seminal come from?
From Middle English seminal, semynal, from Old French seminal, seminale, from Latin sēminālis, ultimately from oblique stem of Latin sēmen, sēminis (“seed”) + -al.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying seminal
How do you pronounce seminal?
Say SEM-uh-nul. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɛmənəl/. In British English it is /ˈsɛmənəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in seminal?
Seminal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEM). Broken into parts: SEM · uh · nul.
Do Americans and Brits say seminal the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɛmənəl/ and the British form is /ˈsɛmənəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.