How to pronounce smuggle
Say it like SMUHG-ul. Smuggle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SMUHG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce smuggle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SMUHG
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Smuggle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SMUHGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of smuggle
American and British speakers say smuggle in essentially the same way: /ˈsmʌɡəl/ in the US and /ˈsmʌɡəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: SMUHG-ul.
What does smuggle mean?
- To import or export, illicitly or by stealth, without paying lawful customs charges or duties
- To bring in surreptitiously
- To thrash or be thrashed by a bear's claws, or to swipe at or be swiped at by a person's arms in a bearlike manner.
Where does smuggle come from?
Cognate with Saterland Frisian smuggelje (“to smuggle”), West Frisian smokkelje (“to smuggle”), German Low German smuggeln, smuckeln (“to move insidiously, smuggle”), German schmuggeln (“to smuggle”), Danish smugle (“to smuggle”), Swedish s
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with smuggle
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of smuggle.
Questions about saying smuggle
How do you pronounce smuggle?
Say SMUHG-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈsmʌɡəl/. In British English it is /ˈsmʌɡəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in smuggle?
Smuggle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SMUHG). Broken into parts: SMUHG · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say smuggle the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsmʌɡəl/ and the British form is /ˈsmʌɡəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.