How to pronounce sundial
Say it like SUHN-dyle. Sundial has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUHN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sundial. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SUHN
- dyle
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sundial pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SUHNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- dyleGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of sundial
American and British speakers say sundial in essentially the same way: /ˈsʌnˌdaɪl/ in the US and /ˈsʌnˌdaɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: SUHN-dyle.
What does sundial mean?
- A device measuring the time of day by the position of a shadow cast by a pole or plate (gnomon) upon an engraved series of marks.“The birdbath includes a small gnomon that acts as a sundial with markings on the basin if it's aligned correctly with the sun.”
- A sea snail of the genus Heliacus.
Where does sundial come from?
From sun + dial, a clarification of dial after it was used for other objects as well.
Questions about saying sundial
How do you pronounce sundial?
Say SUHN-dyle. The American pronunciation is /ˈsʌnˌdaɪl/. In British English it is /ˈsʌnˌdaɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sundial?
Sundial has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUHN). Broken into parts: SUHN · dyle.
Do Americans and Brits say sundial the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsʌnˌdaɪl/ and the British form is /ˈsʌnˌdaɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.