How to Pronounce "Colonel"
Hard
IPA
ˈkɜːrnəl
Syllables:
col·o·nel
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What does "Colonel" mean?
nounA senior military officer rank, above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general.
Example:
"The colonel ordered a strategic retreat during the battle."
Origin of "Colonel"
From French coronel, from Italian colonnello, from colonna meaning column of soldiers. The spelling changed but pronunciation did not.
How to Say "Colonel"
🗣️ Step by Step
It sounds like KUR-nuhl. The first syllable 'KUR' rhymes with 'fur' and is stressed, while the second syllable 'nuhl' sounds like 'nail' without the 'y' sound. Say it together quickly: KUR-nuhl.
⚠️ Common Mistake
Many people mistakenly pronounce it as 'colon-el', thinking the 'colon' part is pronounced like the punctuation mark. This is incorrect because 'colonel' does not have an 'el' sound in it.
💬 Example
The colonel ordered a strategic retreat during the battle.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce Colonel?
Colonel is pronounced ˈkɜːrnəl. Click the audio button above to hear the correct pronunciation in American, British, and Australian English.
Is Colonel hard to pronounce?
Colonel is considered hard to pronounce. The IPA phonetic transcription is ˈkɜːrnəl.