2 syllables: dou, ble. Stress on dou.
/ˈdʌbəl/
Say it backDouble refers to twofold in amount or degree, or to a counterpart of something; it indicates a pair or duplication. In verb form, it can mean to make something twofold or to conceal one’s true identity. The term is used across mathematics, sports, and everyday language to denote quantity, repetition, or pairing, and can imply emphasis or comparison when used as a modifier.
"Prices doubled from last year, signaling a significant increase."
"She wore a double-breasted coat that added a formal touch to her outfit."
"The boxer delivered a double punch combo, catching the opponent off guard."
Pronounce DOO-bəl with primary stress on DOO. IPA: US /ˈdʌbəl/; UK /ˈdʌb.əl/; AU /ˈdʌ.bəl/. Start with a short, clipped /d/, then a short /ʌ/ vowel as in “strut,” followed by /b/ and a light, schwa-like /ə/ in the second syllable. Ensure the first syllable has stronger volume and a crisp /b/ onset before the final schwa.
Two frequent errors: (1) treating the second syllable as /oʊ/ instead of a reduced /ə/, producing DOO-BOH; (2) devoicing or over-articulating the /l/ at the end, making it sound like /djuːbəl/ or /ˈduːbəl/. Correction: maintain a short, unstressed /ə/ in the second syllable and produce a clear, light /l/ without adding extra vowel complexity. Practice with fast speech to prevent elongation of the first syllable and keep the /b/ crisp.
In US and UK, the first syllable carries primary stress with a lax /ʌ/ (as in 'strut'), while the second syllable uses a schwa /ə/. US often has a slightly tighter final /l/; UK may feature a more open, rounded vowel before the /l/. Australian speech tends toward a slightly more centralized vowel in the second syllable and a softer /l/. Across all, the rhoticity is generally not a major factor in standard pronunciations of this word, but subtle rhotic articulation may be heard in connected speech.
The difficulty lies in the reduction of the second syllable to a quick /əl/ and coordinating the abrupt stop of /b/ with a relaxed /ə/. The contrast between /d/ and /b/ in close succession can cause a slight blend or flapping in rapid speech. Additionally, keeping the first vowel short and not merging it with the second syllable requires precise timing to avoid a mispronounced /ˈdʌboʊ/ or /ˈduːbəl/ version. Focus on keeping the second syllable unstressed and concise.
A unique nuance is ensuring the first syllable carries the primary stress and uses a concise /ʌ/ vowel, not a diphthong. Some speakers inadvertently insert an extra vowel between /d/ and /b/, or misplace the primary stress. The correct pattern is /ˈdʌbəl/, with a subtle, rapid /lə/ sequence in the second syllable. Paying attention to the closure /b/ followed by a reduced vowel prevents a 'double-oh' or 'duoble' mispronunciation.
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The word double originates from the Latin word duplicus, meaning 'folded two times' or 'twofold', which entered English via Old French as doble or double. The sense evolved from denoting twofold quantity to more abstract uses such as duplicating an action or character. In Middle English, doubles often described something made twice as much or two of something. Over time, the adjective and noun senses broadened to include phrases like “double take,” “double meaning,” and “double entendre,” accentuating the idea of twofold or paired. The core concept of two units or instances remains central, with modern usage extending to descriptions of duplication (double doors, double portion) and in sports and mathematics (doubling a number). First known uses appear in late medieval English texts, aligning with the continued influence of Latin and French legal and scholarly vocabulary that emphasized multiplicity and duplication.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "double" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "double" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "double"
-ble sounds
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