How to Pronounce “comparable”

American (US)

/ˈkɑmpɚəbəl/

British (UK)

/ˈkɒmpəɹəbəl/

adjective — Able to be compared (to).

Example: An elephant is comparable in size to a double-decker bus.

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˈkɑmpɚəbəl/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “comparable” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “comparable” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkɑmpɚəbəl/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈkɑmpɚəbəl/ 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.

What does "comparable" mean?

comparable (adjective): Able to be compared (to). For example — An elephant is comparable in size to a double-decker bus.

How do you pronounce "comparable" in American vs British English?

American English: /ˈkɑmpɚəbəl/. British English: /ˈkɒmpəɹəbəl/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "comparable"?

/ˈkɑmpɚəbəl/ in American English, /ˈkɒmpəɹəbəl/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "comparable"?

“comparable” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkɑmpɚəbəl/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.