How to pronounce sullen
Say it like SUHL-un. Sullen has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUHL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sullen. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SUHL
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sullen pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SUHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of sullen
American and British speakers say sullen in essentially the same way: /ˈsʌlən/ in the US and /ˈsʌlən/ in the UK.
British respelling: SUHL-un.
What does sullen mean?
- Having a brooding ill temper; sulky.
- Gloomy; dismal; foreboding.“a sullen atmosphere”
- Sluggish; slow.
- Sullen feelings or manners; sulks; moroseness.
Where does sullen come from?
From Middle English soleyn, from Anglo-Norman soleyn (“alone”), from Old French sole (“single, sole, alone”), from Latin sōlus (“by oneself alone”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying sullen
How do you pronounce sullen?
Say SUHL-un. The American pronunciation is /ˈsʌlən/. In British English it is /ˈsʌlən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sullen?
Sullen has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUHL). Broken into parts: SUHL · un.
Do Americans and Brits say sullen the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsʌlən/ and the British form is /ˈsʌlən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.