How to Pronounce “squirrel”

American (US)

/ˈskwɜːrəl/

British (UK)

/ˈskwɪrəl/

Australian (AU)

/ˈskwɪ.ɹ(ə)l/

noun — A small tree-dwelling rodent with a long bushy tail.

Example: A squirrel had buried acorns in every pot on the balcony.

Where the stress falls. “squirrel” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈskwɜːrəl/ 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. /ˈskwɜːrəl/ 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 "squirrel" mean?

squirrel (noun): A small tree-dwelling rodent with a long bushy tail. For example — A squirrel had buried acorns in every pot on the balcony.

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

American English: /ˈskwɜːrəl/. British English: /ˈskwɪrəl/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "squirrel"?

/ˈskwɜːrəl/ in American English, /ˈskwɪrəl/ in British English, /ˈskwɪ.ɹ(ə)l/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "squirrel"?

“squirrel” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈskwɜːrəl/ 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.

• Hard consonant clusters
• Animal names
• One-syllable traps