How to pronounce sterile
Say it like STER-ul. Sterile has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sterile. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- STER
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sterile pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- STERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of sterile
American and British speakers say sterile in essentially the same way: /ˈstɛrəl/ in the US and /ˈstɛraɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: STER-eyel.
What does sterile mean?
- Unable to reproduce (or procreate).
- Terse; lacking sentiment or emotional stimulation, as in a manner of speaking.
- Fruitless, uninspiring, or unproductive.
Where does sterile come from?
From Middle French stérile, from Latin sterilis (“barren, futile”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with sterile
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sterile.
Questions about saying sterile
How do you pronounce sterile?
Say STER-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈstɛrəl/. In British English it is /ˈstɛraɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sterile?
Sterile has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STER). Broken into parts: STER · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say sterile the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈstɛrəl/ and the British form is /ˈstɛraɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.