2 syllables: bris, tle. Stress on bris.
BRIS-uhl
/ˈbɹɪsəl/
bristle is pronounced BRIS-uhl (/ˈbɹɪsəl/). It has two syllables (bris-tle), with the stress on "bris". Bristle is a small, stiff hair or filament on a plant or animal, or a coarse, stiff brush used for cleaning or brushing. As a verb, it means to become rigid with anger or irritation, or to stand upright like hairs. The term denotes rigidity and fine, hairlike projections, often forming a protective or sensory surface. (2–4 sentences, ~60 words).
Bristle is a small, stiff hair or filament on a plant or animal, or a coarse, stiff brush used for cleaning or brushing. As a verb, it means to become rigid with anger or irritation, or to stand upright like hairs. The term denotes rigidity and fine, hairlike projections, often forming a protective or sensory surface. (2–4 sentences, ~60 words)
"The brush’s bristles are stiff enough to scrub metal without scratching it."
"Thorns bristled along the stem, making the plant look prickly."
"Her lip curled as her temper bristled at the insult."
You pronounce it as BRIS-səl, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA US/UK/AU: /ˈbrɪs.əl/ (US/UK) and /ˈbrɪs.təl/ (AU broad transcription). The first vowel is short I as in 'bit', the second syllable uses a soft schwa or a lightly pronounced -əl. Tip: keep the mouth rounded slightly for the /ɪ/ before the /s/, then relax the jaw into the /əl/ at the end.
Common errors include: (1) Turning the first vowel into a long /iː/ as in 'bristle' rhymes with 'bristle' extended. (2) Over-emphasizing the final /l/ or making it a clear '/l/' instead of a dark or light /ɫ/ depending on accent. (3) Dropping the second syllable or linking it too strongly in rapid speech. Correction: keep /ɪ/ short, avoid lengthening the first vowel, and finish with a relaxed /əl/ or /əl/ cluster without overemphasizing the /l/.
US and UK share /ˈbrɪs.əl/ with rhotic and non-rhotic tendencies influencing linking; many speakers reduce the /əl/ to a quick /əl/ or /əl/. In Australian English, you may hear /ˈbrɪs.tɚ/ or /ˈbrɪs.təl/ with a more centralized vowel in the second syllable and less pronounced rhotics. Main differences: rhoticity and vowel quality in the second syllable, with Australians showing more vowel reduction and a slightly darker /ɹ/ or even a flap in rapid speech.
The challenge lies in maintaining a short, clipped /ɪ/ in a closed syllable before /s/ and then transitioning to the light schwa or /əl/ at the end without adding a vowel before the /l/. Many speakers tense the jaw or over-articulate the final /l/. Practicing the quick shift from /ɪ/ to /s/ to a relaxed /əl/ helps maintain the natural flow and prevents a rolled or extra vowel sound.
An important, word-specific detail is the shift from a crisp /s/ release to an almost syllabic or reduced /əl/ at the end in many dialects. The second syllable often carries a schwa that weakens in rapid speech, so you want to keep the transition smooth. The key is keeping the /s/ crisp but not forceful and allowing the final /l/ to be light and quick.
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US: rhoticity often preserves /r/ in surrounding vowels; UK: non-rhotic while the final /əl/ may sound more like /ə/ or /əl/; AU: more vowel centralization and reduced final vowel, with a lighter /l/ and sometimes a tap /ɾ/ in rapid speech. Vowel specifics: US tends to keep /ɪ/ as a near-close near-front vowel; UK often has a short /ɪ/ with less vowel length; AU may feature a centralized vowel in the second syllable, sounding closer to /ˈbrɪs.təl/ or /ˈbrɪs.təɫ/ depending on speaker. Consonants: keep /s/ crisp, avoid an over-aspirated /s/; the final /l/ should be light, not heavy, with a slightly retracted tongue tip.
Bristle comes from Old English bristle, which itself derives from Proto-Germanic brustaz or brustí, related to the verb busan meaning to prick or to prick with a spear (cognate with German borst). The word has traces in Old Norse and Gothic, reflecting a common Germanic pattern for hair-like projections or stiff filaments. Historically, bristle referred to a stiff projection on an animal’s coat or plant surface and then broadened to include brushes composed of stiff hairs or filaments. By the 14th century, bristle was used to describe the tufts on animals and later the stiff components of brushes. Over time, it also took on figurative senses—to stand on end or to become irritated (as in bristling with anger)—mapping the physical rigidity to emotional arousal. First known written use in English surfaces in Middle English texts, with stable spelling by Early Modern English, aligning with other Germanic cognates in Northern European languages.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "bristle" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "bristle" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "bristle"
-zle sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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