How to pronounce vigil
Say it like VIJ-ul. Vigil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VIJ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce vigil. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- VIJ
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Vigil pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- VIJSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of vigil
American and British speakers say vigil in essentially the same way: /ˈvɪdʒəl/ in the US and /ˈvɪdʒɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: VIJ-il.
What does vigil mean?
- An instance of keeping awake during normal sleeping hours, especially to keep watch or pray.
- A period of observation or surveillance at any hour.“His dog kept vigil outside the hospital for eight days while he was recovering from an accident.”
- The eve of a religious festival in which staying awake is part of the ritual devotions.
- To participate in a vigil.
Where does vigil come from?
From Middle English vigile (“a devotional watching”), from Old French vigile, from Latin vigilia (“wakefulness, watch”), from vigil (“awake”), from Proto-Indo-European *weǵ- (“to be strong, lively, awake”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying vigil
How do you pronounce vigil?
Say VIJ-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈvɪdʒəl/. In British English it is /ˈvɪdʒɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in vigil?
Vigil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VIJ). Broken into parts: VIJ · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say vigil the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈvɪdʒəl/ and the British form is /ˈvɪdʒɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.