2 syllables: ca, mel. Stress on ca.
KAM-uhl
/ˈkæməl/
camel is pronounced KAM-uhl (/ˈkæməl/). It has two syllables (ca-mel), with the stress on "ca". Camel is a two-syllable noun referring to a large, hump-backed herbivore adapted to arid regions. In everyday use, it also appears in idioms and brand names. The term emphasizes the animal's distinctive gait and silhouette, and its pronunciation centers on a stressed first syllable with a clear final /l/ sound in many dialects.
Camel is a two-syllable noun referring to a large, hump-backed herbivore adapted to arid regions. In everyday use, it also appears in idioms and brand names. The term emphasizes the animal's distinctive gait and silhouette, and its pronunciation centers on a stressed first syllable with a clear final /l/ sound in many dialects.
- You may misplace stress on the second syllable, saying /kæˈmɛl/; keep primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈkæm.əl/. - You might pronounce the final vowel too strongly, turning it into /-əl/ with a full syllable; practice a quick, light /-əl/. - Some learners blend the /m/ and /l/ too tightly, producing /ˈkæm̩l/ or /ˈkæml/; aim for the /m/ and then a soft, distinct /əl/.
"The camel sauntered across the desert dunes, its humps shading the sunlit sand."
"In an adventure novel, the group traded stories beside a camel herder under a starry sky."
"The logo featured a stylized camel, instantly signaling a desert-themed brand."
Camel is pronounced with two syllables: /ˈkæm.əl/. The first syllable has the stressed vowel /æ/ as in 'cat', followed by a light, schwa-like second syllable /əl/. In careful speech you’ll hear a clear /l/ at the end. IPA: US/UK/AU = /ˈkæm.əl/.
Common errors: (1) misplacing stress on the second syllable (→ /ˈkeɪ.məl/ or /ˈkæ.mɛl/). (2) Vocalizing as /ˈkæməl/ with the second syllable fully stressed. (3) Dropping the final /l/ or making it a dark /ɫ/ that blends into the preceding syllable. Correction: keep primary stress on first syllable /ˈkæm/ and finish with a light /əl/, ensuring the /l/ is pronounced clearly.
US/UK/AU share /ˈkæm.əl/ with a medial /æ/ and final /əl/. The rhoticity affects the preceding vowels in connected speech: in US English, there may be a subtle rhotic vowel tint in some rapid speech, while UK and AU maintain non-rhotic or mildly rhotic tendencies depending on the speaker. Australian English may have a broader /æ/ and slightly more centralized /ə/ in the second syllable. Stress remains on the first syllable across all three. IPA remains /ˈkæm.əl/ for all three varieties in careful speech.
Two challenges: (1) The short, low/open /æ/ vowel can be tricky if your native language uses a different vowel system. (2) The final /əl/ cluster requires a light, almost syllabic /l/ after a schwa-like vowel, which can blur in faster speech. Practice by isolating /æ/ in 'cat' and then glide into a quick /m/ + light /əl/, ensuring the /l/ is audible but not overly heavy.
In careful pronunciation, you articulate the final /l/ clearly as a light alveolar approximant. In fast or informal speech, some speakers reduce the /l/ toward a schwa-like ending or drop it slightly, making the ending sound like /-əl/ without a strong lunge of the tongue. Aim for a balanced, light /l/ sound that remains perceivable.
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- US: keep a more pronounced rhotic coloration in connected speech; under stress, the /æ/ may be a sharper sound. IPA: /ˈkæm.əl/. - UK: maintain a clear /æ/ and a non-rhotic approach; final /l/ should be light but audible. IPA: /ˈkæm.əl/. - AU: somewhat broader vowel quality; /æ/ can be slightly more centralized; final /əl/ remains light and quick. IPA: /ˈkæm.əl/.
Camel derives from late Latin camelus, from Greek kamēlos, which entered English through French and Latin scholarly texts. The root kamēlos likely originates from a Semitic source akin to Hebrew gāmal or Arabic jamāl, referencing the animal known to cross deserts. The term’s earliest English attestations appear in medieval texts, often tied to trade routes and caravans. Historically, the word expanded beyond zoology to metaphorical uses (ship of the desert, endurance, resilience). In many languages, the animal’s name aligns with the camelid family, reflecting its role as a reliable pack animal for long desert journeys. Over time, “camel” retained its zoological meaning while also enriching idiomatic expressions and cultural references (e.g., camels in literature, brand names). The word’s spelling and pronunciation stabilized in Early Modern English, with the first syllable carrying primary stress. Today, “camel” is a common vocabulary item in both sciences and everyday conversation, maintaining its hallmark long vowel in some dialects and a final light /l/ in many American and British varieties. First known use in English appears in the 13th century, aligning with increased contact along desert caravans and trade networks that popularized the animal in European lexicon.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "camel" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "camel" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "camel"
-ble sounds
-ple sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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