3 syllables: Ca, the, dral. Stress on the.
kuh-THEE-druhl
/kəˈθidɹəl/
Cathedral is pronounced kuh-THEE-druhl (/kəˈθidɹəl/). It has three syllables (Ca-the-dral), with the stress on "the". Cathedral is a large Christian church that houses a bishop's seat. It denotes a principal church of a diocese, often architecturally grand and historically significant, serving liturgical functions and community events. The term carries ceremonial and sacred connotations beyond its architectural role.
nounCathedral is a large Christian church that houses a bishop's seat. It denotes a principal church of a diocese, often architecturally grand and historically significant, serving liturgical functions and community events. The term carries ceremonial and sacred connotations beyond its architectural role.
"The cathedral hosts a midnight mass during Christmas."
"Architects presented plans to restore the cathedral’s vaulted ceilings."
"Pilgrims gathered outside the cathedral to admire its façade."
Pronounce as /kəˈθiːdrəl/. The primary stress is on the second syllable: ku-TH EE-drəl. Start with a schwa in the first syllable, then the long 'ee' as in 'bee', followed by the 'drəl' cluster. Lip rounding is light, tongue high for the /iː/, and the /θ/ is the voiceless interdental fricative like in 'think'. Listen for the crisp /θiː/ sequence and the final schwa/əl.
Common errors include misplacing stress (putting it on the first syllable ca-), pronouncing /θ/ as /t/ or /s/, and shortening the /iː/ to a short /ɪ/. Correct by: (1) sustaining the long /iː/ in the second syllable, (2) producing the voiceless interdental /θ/ with the tongue between teeth, not as a /t/ or /s/ sound, (3) ending with a reduced /əl/ rather than a heavy /ʊl/. Practice slow, then add rhythm.
In US, the /ɪ/ can be slightly shorter and the /ə/ in first syllable reduced; the /θ/ remains but may be dentalized less aggressively. UK speakers maintain a clearer /θ/ and the /iː/ is held longer in many accents; the final /əl/ often becomes a light schwa + l. Australian English follows similar patterns to UK, with broad intonation in phrase-final positions. Overall, stress is on the second syllable in both, but vowel quality can vary subtly by region.
Two main challenges: the /θ/ sound (voiceless interdental fricative) is rare in many languages and easy to substitute with /t/ or /s/; and sustaining the long /iː/ before the /dr/ cluster while smoothly transitioning to /əl/. The sequence /θiːd/ requires precise tongue placement—tip to upper teeth with air flowing—and the /dr/ cluster demands a quick, clear /d/ followed by /r/ without an intrusive vowel.
Cathedral uniquely combines a stressed, long vowel /iː/ with a quiet but essential inter-dental /θ/ in the middle and a final /əl/ that reduces to a light schwa. The combination of a mid-length first syllable and a strong second syllable makes the rhythm distinct: ca-THED-ral. The subtle vowel length and the dental fricative place it apart from many common English words, making careful articulation crucial for accuracy.
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Cathedral comes from Latin ecclesia cathedralis, with cathedralis meaning “of the cathedral,” from cathedra ‘chair, throne’ (the chair of a bishop) which itself derives from Greek kathedra. The use of cathedra signified the bishop’s throne and authority, hence the church associated with that seat became known as the cathedral. The term is first attested in medieval Latin writings to describe churches housing a bishop’s seat, distinguishing them from parish churches. Over time, the word broadened in English to denote the principal church in a diocese, not merely the building containing a bishop’s throne. The semantic evolution reflects ecclesiastical hierarchy, architectural grandeur, and the centrality of the cathedral in Christian worship and community life. The word entered Middle English via Latin sources, consolidating in religious and architectural texts as cathedral became a standard reference to major ecclesiastical centers throughout Europe. As cathedral schools and universities developed in medieval Europe, the term also carried cultural and educational prestige, reinforcing its association with learning, liturgy, and artistic patronage.
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Words that rhyme with "Cathedral"
-der sounds
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