How to pronounce senile
Say it like SEE-nyle. Senile has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce senile. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SEE
- nyle
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Senile pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- nyleKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of senile
American and British speakers say senile in essentially the same way: /ˈsinaɪl/ in the US and /ˈsiːnaɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: SEE-nyle.
What does senile mean?
- Of, or relating to old age.
- A person who is senile.
Where does senile come from?
1660s; borrowed from French sénile, from Middle French senile, from Old French senile, from Latin senīlis (“of or pertaining to old age”), from senex (“old man”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *sénos (“old”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying senile
How do you pronounce senile?
Say SEE-nyle. The American pronunciation is /ˈsinaɪl/. In British English it is /ˈsiːnaɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in senile?
Senile has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEE). Broken into parts: SEE · nyle.
Do Americans and Brits say senile the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsinaɪl/ and the British form is /ˈsiːnaɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.