How to pronounce serval
Say it like SUR-vul. Serval has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce serval. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SUR
- vul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Serval pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- vulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of serval
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SUR-vul.
What does serval mean?
- A medium-sized African wild cat, Leptailurus serval, formerly Felis serval.
Where does serval come from?
From French serval, from Portuguese (lobo) cerval (“Iberian lynx”), from Latin lupus cervārius (literally “stag wolf”), i.e.
Questions about saying serval
How do you pronounce serval?
Say SUR-vul. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɝvəl/. In British English it is /ˈsɜːvəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in serval?
Serval has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR). Broken into parts: SUR · vul.
Is serval pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈsɜːvəl/ (SUR-vul).