How to pronounce vestigial
Say it like vuh-STIJ-ee-ul. Vestigial has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STIJ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce vestigial. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- vuh
- STIJ
- ee
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Vestigial pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- vuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- STIJSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of vestigial
American and British speakers say vestigial in essentially the same way: /vəˈstɪdʒiəl/ in the US and /vəˈstɪdʒiəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: vuh-STIJ-ee-ul.
What does vestigial mean?
- Of or pertaining to a vestige or remnant; like a trace from the past.
- Not fully developed in mature animals.
- Of a vestigial structure; that has lost all or most of its original function in the course of evolution.
- A small, degenerate, or imperfectly developed part or organ which has been more fully developed in some past generation.
Where does vestigial come from?
From Latin vestīgium + -al.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying vestigial
How do you pronounce vestigial?
Say vuh-STIJ-ee-ul. The American pronunciation is /vəˈstɪdʒiəl/. In British English it is /vəˈstɪdʒiəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in vestigial?
Vestigial has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STIJ). Broken into parts: vuh · STIJ · ee · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say vestigial the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /vəˈstɪdʒiəl/ and the British form is /vəˈstɪdʒiəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.