How to pronounce vulnerable
Say it like VUHL-nuh-ruh-bul. Vulnerable has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VUHL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce vulnerable. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- VUHL
- nuh
- ruh
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Vulnerable pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- VUHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ruhKeep 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 vulnerable
American and British speakers say vulnerable in essentially the same way: /ˈvʌlnərəbəl/ in the US and /ˈvʌlnərəbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: VUHL-nuh-ruh-bul.
What does vulnerable mean?
- susceptible to attack“a vulnerable bridge”
- susceptible to criticism or persuasion or temptation“vulnerable to bribery”“an argument vulnerable to refutation”
- capable of being wounded or hurt“vulnerable parts of the body”
Where does vulnerable come from?
From Late Latin vulnerābilis (“injurious, wounding”), from Latin vulnerō (“to wound”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying vulnerable
How do you pronounce vulnerable?
Say VUHL-nuh-ruh-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˈvʌlnərəbəl/. In British English it is /ˈvʌlnərəbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in vulnerable?
Vulnerable has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VUHL). Broken into parts: VUHL · nuh · ruh · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say vulnerable the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈvʌlnərəbəl/ and the British form is /ˈvʌlnərəbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.