2 syllables: bi, ble. Stress on bi.
BEYE-buhl
/ˈbaɪbəl/
bible is pronounced BEYE-buhl (/ˈbaɪbəl/). It has two syllables (bi-ble), with the stress on "bi". A commonly known sacred text in Judaism and Christianity, also used metaphorically to mean a central authoritative source of rules or beliefs. In everyday use, it can refer to any revered guide or set of principles. Context determines whether it denotes a specific book or a figurative standard to follow.
A commonly known sacred text in Judaism and Christianity, also used metaphorically to mean a central authoritative source of rules or beliefs. In everyday use, it can refer to any revered guide or set of principles. Context determines whether it denotes a specific book or a figurative standard to follow.
"- He carried his Bible to church every Sunday."
"- Some scholars treat the Bible as a compilation of multiple genres."
"- The professor warned that the chart was not a Bible for every situation."
Pronounce as /ˈbaɪ.bəl/ in all major varieties. The primary stress falls on the first syllable ‘BAI-’ with a light second syllable that ends with a schwa or a reduced vowel: /bəl/. Make sure the first syllable contains the long I sound, as in 'bite' (/aɪ/). The tongue rises toward the roof for /aɪ/ and the final /l/ should be light but clear; do not over-velarize. Audio references: you can listen to Cambridge or Oxford dictionaries for native models.
Two common errors: (1) deleting or weakening the final /l/, producing /ˈbaɪ.bəl/ with an almost vowel-like ending; ensure a clear light /l/ with the tongue tip touching the alveolar ridge. (2) misplacing stress, saying /ˈbaɪ.bəl/ with too much emphasis on the second syllable; keep primary stress on the first syllable. Practice by drilling a crisp /b/ onset then a short, relaxed /əl/ ending to preserve the clean offglide.
US: rhotic, final /l/ pronounced clearly; the /aɪ/ in first syllable is diphthongal with a strong starting point. UK: similar /ˈbaɪ.bəl/ but often a softer /l/ and less vowel rounding in some regional accents; non-rhotic-ish tendencies still maintain clear /l/ at the end. AU: similar to US, sometimes with slightly more centralized final vowel; place emphasis on the first syllable, with a crisp /l/ but not overly darkened.
The difficulty lies in achieving a clean, unreduced final /əl/ without turning it into a vowel like /ə/ or /ɪ/. It’s easy to reduce the second syllable or slur the /l/ into a vowel when speaking quickly. Also, the /aɪ/ diphthong in the first syllable requires precise tongue height and a smooth glide from /a/ to /ɪ/. Slow, deliberate articulation helps lock in the contrast between /aɪ/ and /ɪ/ in quick speech.
The unique aspect is the contrastive tall front vowel /aɪ/ followed by a light alveolar /l/; the nucleus shifts from a bright, long vowel to a relaxed consonant ending. Emphasize a distinct release into an unvoiced or lightly voiced /l/ without vocalizing the second syllable; ensure the second syllable is notably lighter than the first and not a separate vowel.
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The word Bible originates from the Latin Biblia, which itself derives from the Greek ta biblia, meaning 'the books' or 'the papyrus rolls'. The root biblos (βίβλος) means 'book' or 'scroll'. Early Greek usage identified sacred writings collectively as ta biblia. The Latin Vulgate adopted Biblia for the canonical scriptures, and medieval Latin preserved this form. In English, capitalized as Bible to denote the sacred text within Judaism and Christianity, the term gradually broadened in late Middle English to include any principal authoritative source. The shift from a plural sense to singular (the Bible) reflects the collection’s consolidated perception as a single, authoritative volume. First known use in English appears in the 14th century. The term’s semantic expansion into metaphorical realms (as a “Bible” of rules or a fixed guide) occurred in Early Modern English and became widespread in the 17th–18th centuries, aligning with the rise of printed moral and legal canons. The word’s trajectory mirrors broader cultural respect for authoritative texts and the concept of a definitive reference work.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "bible" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "bible" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "bible"
-ble sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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