3 syllables: de, ci, mal. Stress on de.
DES-uh-muhl
/ˈdɛsəməl/
decimal is pronounced DES-uh-muhl (/ˈdɛsəməl/). It has three syllables (de-ci-mal), with the stress on "de". Decimal refers to a number expressed in the base-10 system, typically using a decimal point to separate whole numbers from fractions (e.g., 3.14). It also functions as an adjective describing something measured or expressed in tens or based on ten. In mathematics and computing, the term distinguishes the decimal portion from the integer portion, and it appears across scientific, financial, and everyday contexts.
Decimal refers to a number expressed in the base-10 system, typically using a decimal point to separate whole numbers from fractions (e.g., 3.14). It also functions as an adjective describing something measured or expressed in tens or based on ten. In mathematics and computing, the term distinguishes the decimal portion from the integer portion, and it appears across scientific, financial, and everyday contexts.
"The decimal representation of 1/3 is 0.333..."
"Please round the decimal to two places after the point."
"In the salary, the bonus is paid as a decimal fraction, not a whole number."
You say /ˈdɛsɪməl/. The first syllable carries primary stress: DE-si-mal, with the 'dec' reduced to /dɛ/ and the second syllable /sɪ/, then the final /məl/ with a light, almost-schwa vowel in the middle and a syllabic 'l' finish. Visualize saying ‘DE’ strongly, then quickly ‘si’, then ‘mal’ with a soft ‘l’. If you listen, you’ll notice the flow is short, crisp, and evenly pitched. You can compare to 'decimal' in dictionary audio to match the cadence.
Two frequent errors are stressing the second syllable (de-CI-mal) and devoicing the final 'l' as in 'mell' instead of 'məl'. To correct: keep primary stress on the first syllable /ˈdɛsɪ/ and let the final 'l' softly touch the tongue to create the light /l/ without adding extra vowel. Practicing the ending as /məl/ rather than /mæl/ helps avoid an American 'mah-l' sound. Using a slow rhythm first and then speeding up maintains the natural cadence.
In US, UK, and Australian accents, the primary stress remains on the first syllable /ˈdɛsɪməl/. Vowel quality differs slightly: US often pronounces the first vowel as a clear /ɛ/ in 'dec-', while UK and AU align similarly but may have a slightly tighter vowel in rapid speech. The final /əl/ tends toward a darker, more centralized schwa in some US contexts, while UK tends to a crisper /əl/. Overall, the word preserves base-10 root sounds, with minor rhythm changes across accents.
The challenge lies in the sequence of unstressed vowels and the subtle diphthong tendencies in the middle syllable and the final soft /əl/ cluster. The balance between /ɪ/ and /ə/ in the middle syllable can lead to a quick, indistinct vowel in rapid speech. Additionally, maintaining even tempo without elongating the first syllable requires careful articulation of the /sɪ/ vs /si/ portion. Focus on a crisp first syllable and a light, quick final /əl/.
A unique consideration is maintaining a strong initial stress on the first syllable while ensuring the middle 'si' remains short and is not condensed into a syllable of its own. The rise and fall of pitch should stay even, avoiding a heavy ending. IPA cue: /ˈdɛsɪməl/. The tip is to keep the mouth rounded slightly for the /ɪ/ but relaxed for the /m/ and /əl/ sequence.
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The word decimal comes from the Latin decimus meaning 'tenth' from decem 'ten'. It entered English through Latin via French decimal, emerging in the early modern period with the expansion of decimal fraction notation as a mathematical convention. The core concept relates to a base-10 system, with the term anchoring the distinction between the integral part and the fractional (decimal) part of numbers. Early uses tied to arithmetic and algebra, later expanding to finance, measurement, and computing. Its introduction paralleled the adoption of decimal fractions in Europe during the 16th to 18th centuries, with 10-based notation formalized in works on mathematics and navigation, contributing to modern scientific and educational terminology around numbers and measurements.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "decimal" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "decimal"
-me) sounds
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