How to pronounce tentacle
Say it like TEN-tuh-kul. Tentacle has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tentacle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TEN
- tuh
- kul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tentacle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of tentacle
American and British speakers say tentacle in essentially the same way: /ˈtɛntəkəl/ in the US and /ˈtɛntəkəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: TEN-tuh-kul.
What does tentacle mean?
- An elongated, boneless, flexible organ or limb of some animals, such as the octopus and squid.
- One of the glandular hairs on the leaves of certain insectivorous plants.
- An insidious reach or influence.“the tentacles of the criminal underworld”
- To move like a tentacle
Where does tentacle come from?
From New Latin tentāculum, from tentō.
Questions about saying tentacle
How do you pronounce tentacle?
Say TEN-tuh-kul. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɛntəkəl/. In British English it is /ˈtɛntəkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tentacle?
Tentacle has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEN). Broken into parts: TEN · tuh · kul.
Do Americans and Brits say tentacle the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtɛntəkəl/ and the British form is /ˈtɛntəkəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.