2 syllables: Ba, sil. Stress on Ba.
BAZ-uhl
/ˈbæzəl/
Basil is pronounced BAZ-uhl (/ˈbæzəl/). It has two syllables (Ba-sil), with the stress on "Ba". Basil is a noun referring to a fragrant aromatic herb commonly used in cooking. It can also denote a genus of plants in the mint family. In proper name usage, Basil is a given name or surname. The pronunciation varies by context, with edible herb sense typically stressed first syllable and name sense often stressed on the first syllable, though regional variations exist.
nounBasil is a noun referring to a fragrant aromatic herb commonly used in cooking. It can also denote a genus of plants in the mint family. In proper name usage, Basil is a given name or surname. The pronunciation varies by context, with edible herb sense typically stressed first syllable and name sense often stressed on the first syllable, though regional variations exist.
"You need fresh basil leaves for the pesto."
"Basil is growing well in the herb garden this summer."
"I’ll call the character Basil in the novel to give him a classical vibe."
Basil has two common pronunciations. As the herb, many speakers say /ˈbæzəl/ (BAZ-uhl) in American English and /ˈbeɪzɪl/ (BAY-zill) in some British contexts. As a person’s name, it is usually /ˈbæzəl/ (BAZ-uhl) with the first syllable stressed. Note regional variation: you may hear /ˈbeɪzəl/ among some speakers. Mouth position: start with a relaxed open-mid front position for /bæ/ or /beɪ/, then a light schwa-like ending for /zəl/ or /zɪl/. Remember to drop any extra vowel length in rapid speech.
Two common errors: 1) Using /ˈbeɪzɪl/ consistently even for the herb when many regions default to /ˈbæzəl/ for cooking. 2) Over-lengthening the second syllable or misplacing stress, especially for the name Basil where stress is on the first syllable. Correction: practice /ˈbæzəl/ with a crisp /æ/ in the first syllable and a short /əl/ or /əl/ at the end, and switch to /ˈbeɪzəl/ only if your regional variant favors BAY-zil for the herb.
In US English, herb Basil is often /ˈbæzəl/; in some UK varieties you’ll hear /ˈbeɪz(ə)l/ or /ˈbæzɪl/. Australian speakers commonly say /ˈbæzəl/ with a broad /æ/ and a terminal /l/. The name Basil typically stays /ˈbæzəl/ across these accents, though avid speakers might use /ˈbeɪzəl/ in certain social circles. Note the rhoticity impacts the ending clarity; non-rhotic accents may reduce post-vocalic r-like features, reinforcing an /əl/ ending.
The difficulty stems from two competing pronunciations for the herb and the name. The vowel in the first syllable shifts between /æ/ (BAZ) and /eɪ/ (BAY), changing perceived meaning. The ending /l/ in rapid speech can be blurred with a schwa, leading to /ˈbæzə/ or /ˈbeɪzɪ/. For beginners, focus on clear initial consonants and avoid vowel reduction in the first syllable. Practice slowly, then speed up while maintaining the accurate vowel quality and final /l/.
Basil is a word with divergent pronunciations driven by meaning (herb vs. name) and regional preference. The herb sense often adopts /ˈbeɪzəl/ in some British-speaking regions or /ˈbæzəl/ in American usage, while the name consistently uses the /ˈbæzəl/ pattern. Being aware of the context helps you choose the correct vowel in the first syllable and keep the final /l/ crisp. This distinction improves clarity in both culinary and social contexts.
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Basil derives from Latin basilium, borrowed from Greek basileion (royal/king’s herb) or basileus (king) related terms. The genus Ocimum houses many species, including Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil). The word’s herbal meaning is ancient, with early English usages in Middle English via Old French basilic, from Medieval Latin basilium, from Greek basilikon (royal). The name Basil as a male given name emerges in English in the 16th century, often associated with bishops and saints named Basil (e.g., Saint Basil the Great). Etymologically, the herb’s prestige and fragrance likely contributed to its royal associations across Mediterranean languages. Over time, “basil” broadened to common culinary context and, in English, to personal naming, with spelling stabilized in Modern English. In non-English languages, cognates reflect Ocimum and basilicum roots, while proper names retain capitalization and occasional regional pronunciation variants. The development of the term in English reflects trade, botany, and culinary diffusion, where a fragrant herb with long-standing use in Mediterranean cuisine became both a plant name and a popular given name in Western cultures.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Basil" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Basil" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Basil" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Basil"
-zle sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
