How to Pronounce “pineapple”

American (US)

/ˈpaɪnəpəl/

British (UK)

/ˈpaɪnˌæpəl/

noun — A tropical plant, Ananas comosus, native to South America, having thirty or more long, spined and pointed leaves surrounding a thick stem.

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

Where the stress falls. “pineapple” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈpaɪnəpəl/ 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. /ˈpaɪnəpəl/ 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 "pineapple" mean?

pineapple (noun): A tropical plant, Ananas comosus, native to South America, having thirty or more long, spined and pointed leaves surrounding a thick stem.

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

American English: /ˈpaɪnəpəl/. British English: /ˈpaɪnˌæpəl/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "pineapple"?

/ˈpaɪnəpəl/ in American English, /ˈpaɪnˌæpəl/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "pineapple"?

“pineapple” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈpaɪnəpəl/ 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.