How to pronounce surgical
Say it like SUR-jih-kul. Surgical has three 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 surgical. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SUR
- jih
- kul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Surgical 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.
- jihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of surgical
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SUR-jih-kul.
What does surgical mean?
- of or relating to or involving or used in surgery“surgical instruments”“surgical intervention”
- relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine“a surgical appendix”“a surgical procedure”
- performed with great precision“a surgical air strike”
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with surgical
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of surgical.
Questions about saying surgical
How do you pronounce surgical?
Say SUR-jih-kul. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɝdʒɪkəl/. In British English it is /ˈsɜːdʒɪkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in surgical?
Surgical has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR). Broken into parts: SUR · jih · kul.
Is surgical 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 /ˈsɜːdʒɪkəl/ (SUR-jih-kul).