How to Pronounce “bilateral”
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- American (US)
- /baɪˈlætəɹəl/
What “bilateral” means
adjective — Having two sides.
Pronunciation Notes
Where the stress falls. “bilateral” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /baɪˈlætəɹəl/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /baɪˈlætəɹəl/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "bilateral" mean?
bilateral (adjective): Having two sides.
What is the IPA transcription of "bilateral"?
/baɪˈlætəɹəl/ in American English.
Which syllable is stressed in "bilateral"?
“bilateral” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /baɪˈlætəɹəl/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
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