2 syllables: Cir, cle. Stress on Cir.
SUR-kuhl
/ˈsɝkəl/
Circle is pronounced SUR-kuhl (/ˈsɝkəl/). It has two syllables (Cir-cle), with the stress on "Cir". Circle is a noun meaning a round shape with every point equidistant from the center, or a group of people sharing common interests. It also refers to a path traced by a moving point, and in geometry, the set of all points at a fixed distance from a given center. In less formal use, it can mean a group or circle of influence. 2-4 senses are common in advanced usage.
nounCircle is a noun meaning a round shape with every point equidistant from the center, or a group of people sharing common interests. It also refers to a path traced by a moving point, and in geometry, the set of all points at a fixed distance from a given center. In less formal use, it can mean a group or circle of influence. 2-4 senses are common in advanced usage.
"She drew a perfect circle on the whiteboard during the geometry lesson."
"Members of the project circle discussed overlapping responsibilities."
"A circle of friends gathered for the weekend picnic."
Circle is pronounced with two syllables: /ˈsɜːr.kəl/ in US and UK. Start with a stressed 'sIR' sound, the vowel is a mid back-central /ɜː/ (as in 'bird' without r-coloring in non-rhotic accents). The second syllable is a schwa-like /kəl/ or /kəl/ depending on accent. In American English, the r-coloring makes the /ɜːr/ sound pronounced as /ɜ˞r/ before a non-rhotic ending; in many northern US varieties you may hear /ˈsɝ.kəl/. In Australian English, aim for /ˈsɜː.kəl/ with less rhotic emphasis, but still two syllables. Audio examples exist on Pronounce and YouGlish for word-specific reference.
Common errors include saying a hard 'i' as in 'sit' instead of the /ɜː/ vowel, and misplacing the /k/ or conflating the second syllable with a strong 'l' sound. Another frequent pitfall is shrinking the second syllable into a weak vowel without a clear /l/ ending. To correct: practice the /ɜːr/ vowel with a relaxed jaw and slightly rounded lips, then end with a crisp /kəl/—tap the /k/ sharply and finish with a light, clear /l/ by touching the tongue tip to the alveolar ridge.
In US English, expect a rhotic /ɝ/ r-coloring in the first syllable: /ˈɝː.kəl/ or /ˈɜːr.kəl/ with more distinct American r. UK English tends to be non-rhotic in many varieties, giving /ˈsɜː.kəl/ with a clearer non-rhotic vowel; the r in the first syllable is less pronounced. Australian English sits between, with /ˈsɜː.kəl/ similar to UK but often with a more centralized /ɜː/ and slightly stronger final consonant. All share two syllables, but vowel length and r-coloring differ. Consider listening to native speakers for precise vowel quality and rhythm in each dialect.
The difficulty centers on the mid-central vowel /ɜː/ (or /ɜːr/ in rhotic accents) and the subtle tongue position for /r/ and /l/ in close succession. Many learners flatten the /ɜː/ into /ɪ/ or over-apply the /r/ in non-rhotic speakers, making the word sound like 'sir-kul' or 'circle' with a weak final consonant. The two-consonant ending cluster /rkəl/ requires precise timing: release the /k/ clearly, then a quick, light /əl/ without extra syllabic vocalization. Practice with minimal pairs to distinguish the /ɜː/ from /ɪ/ and to refine the /l/ at the end.
Circle has primary stress on the first syllable: CIR-cle. This two-syllable pattern means you sustain a strong first beat, then a quick, lighter second syllable ending in a soft /əl/ sound. The second syllable does not carry stress, so it should be shorter and less prominent, with a final light /l/ release. Focus on maintaining sharp onset for /s/ and a relaxed jaw for /ɜːr/ and a gentle /k/ release. In connected speech, the final /l/ can be slightly dark or light depending on accent.
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US accent: rhotic /ɝ/; ensure /r/ is pronounced with the tip of the tongue not touching the alveolar ridge; VC: use 2- or 3-step mouth adjustments, maintaining air flow. UK: non-rhotic; /ˈsɜː.kəl/ with less pronounced /r/; keep the vowel long and central. AU: similar to UK, but with slightly tenser vowels and a crisper /l/ at the end. Vowel quality: the first vowel should be a mid-back rounded /ɜː/; avoid /ɪ/ or /e/. Consonant timing: ensure /k/ and /l/ do not blend; keep space between /k/ release and /l/ onset.
Circle originates from Old French cercle, Castro Latin circulus, a diminutive of spur word oris meaning ring or hoop, ultimately from the Greek kyklos meaning wheel, circle, or ring. The Latin circulus (diminutive of circus or circle) influenced Old French cercle, then Middle English cercle, later becoming circle. The root kykl- in Greek is tied to turning and wheel; the sense evolved from a wheel-like object to the geometric locus. By the late medieval period, circle was used in geometry to denote a set of points at a fixed distance from a center, a concept solidified in mathematical treatises. Over time, circle broadened to halo, ring, and social groupings (a circle of friends). First known English uses appear in late 14th century texts considering geometry and social circles, with the modern sense as a precise geometric figure and metaphorical uses well established by the 17th–18th centuries. The word’s evolution tracks a shift from tangible circular objects to abstract sets and social groups, reflecting both mathematical refinement and cultural metaphorical expansion.
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Words that rhyme with "Circle"
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