How to pronounce syllable
Say it like SIL-uh-bul. Syllable has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce syllable. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SIL
- uh
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Syllable pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of syllable
American and British speakers say syllable in essentially the same way: /ˈsɪləbəl/ in the US and /ˈsɪləbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: SIL-uh-bul.
What does syllable mean?
- A unit of human speech which often forms words corresponding to one opening of the mouth; a vowel and its surrounding consonants.
- The written representation of a given pronounced syllable.
- A small part of a sentence or discourse; anything concise or short; a particle.
- To utter in syllables.
Questions about saying syllable
How do you pronounce syllable?
Say SIL-uh-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɪləbəl/. In British English it is /ˈsɪləbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in syllable?
Syllable has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIL). Broken into parts: SIL · uh · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say syllable the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɪləbəl/ and the British form is /ˈsɪləbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.