3 syllables: Fos, sil Fu, el. Stress on Fos.
fah-suhl-FYOO-uhl
/ˈfɑs.əl ˈfjuː.əl/
Fossil Fuel is pronounced fah-suhl-FYOO-uhl (/ˈfɑs.əl ˈfjuː.əl/). It has three syllables (Fos-sil Fu-el), with the stress on "Fos". Fossil fuel refers to a nonrenewable energy source formed from ancient organic matter, such as coal, oil, or natural gas. It is used to generate electricity and power engines. The term highlights resources that release stored carbon when burned, contributing to climate change.
nounFossil fuel refers to a nonrenewable energy source formed from ancient organic matter, such as coal, oil, or natural gas. It is used to generate electricity and power engines. The term highlights resources that release stored carbon when burned, contributing to climate change.
Tip: Record yourself and compare to native samples; practice slowly, then speed up while maintaining clarity.
"The government is phasing out fossil fuels in favor of renewable energy."
"Industries rely on fossil fuels for transportation and manufacturing."
"Environmental concerns drive investments in solar and wind as alternatives to fossil fuels."
Pronunciation: /ˈfɒs.əl ˈfjuː.əl/ in UK and /ˈfɑː.səl ˈfjuː.əl/ in US. Stress on the first syllable of each word. Begin with the voiceless fricative /f/, follow with /ɒ/ (UK) or /ɑː/ (US), then a light schwa /ə/ in the second syllable. The second word starts with /fjuː/ combining /f/ + /juː/ (you) and ends with /əl/. Practically, you’ll hear a crisp initial /f/ then a quick, light second syllable. Audio reference: consult a quality dictionary or pronunciation platform for native speaker samples.
Common errors include: misplacing stress between the two words (saying first word lightly or stressing the second), pronouncing fossil as /ˈfɔː.sɪl/ with a long /ɔː/ instead of /ˈfɒs.əl/ or /ˈfɑː.səl/, and running the two words together as /ˈfɒsəlˌfjuːəl/ without clear boundary. Corrections: keep primary stresses on both first syllables: /ˈfɒs.əl/ and /ˈfjuː.əl/. Use a brief pause or slight separation between words in slower speech; in fast speech, maintain the two strong syllables but avoid blending the /l/ into the following /f/.
In US, US speakers use /ˈfɑː.səl ˈfjuː.əl/ with rhotacization on the first syllable and a clear /juː/ in fuel. In UK, /ˈfɒ.səl ˈfjuː.əl/ with shorter /ɒ/ and less rhoticity in non-rhotic accents; some speakers link the /l/ softly. Australian tends to mirror UK with a tighter /ɒ/ and clipped second syllable; vowel sounds may be broader: /ˈfɒs.ɪl ˈfjuː.əl/. Across all, ensure the second word keeps /juː/ and /əl/ endings; differences are mainly vowel quality and rhoticity.
Key challenges include the sequence /ˈfɒs.əl/ vs /ˈfɑː.səl/ depending on region, and the rapid transition from /s/ to /f/ across word boundary in 'fossil fuel', which can create a slight consonant cluster without clear separation. The /juː/ in 'fuel' is a strong glide that many learners merge with /f/ or mispronounce as /uː/; maintain F- sound for both words and accuracy in the /juː.əl/ ending. Practice with slow, deliberate enunciating to separate the two-word rhythm.
Is there a silent letter in 'fossil fuel'? Answer: No, there are no silent letters in the conventional pronunciation. Each phoneme in /ˈfɒs.ɪl/ and /ˈfjuː.əl/ is pronounced, with the vowel in the first syllable of 'fossil' often reduced to a schwa in fluent speech. The second word preserves /fjuː/ with a strong /f/ followed by the /juː/ glide. Mind the subtle vowel reduction in connected speech, particularly in rapid delivery.
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The term fossil fuel combines fossil, from Latin fossilis meaning 'dug up, dug from the ground', with fuel, from Latin focus meaning 'hearth' or 'fire'. Fossil in English originated in the 15th century, originally referring to anything dug up; by the 19th century, it adopted the sense relating to preserved plant or animal matter transformed into coal, oil, or gas. Fuel traces to Old French feuial, from Latin focus, broadening in usage to denote substances that can be burned to release energy. The modern sense of fossil fuel as a nonrenewable energy source emerged with the industrial age as coal, oil, and natural gas became central to energy production. First known use of fossil fuel in a way that clearly designates a type of energy source dates to the late 19th or early 20th century as nations industrialized and fossil-based energy dominated power systems.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Fossil Fuel" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Fossil Fuel" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Fossil Fuel"
-tal sounds
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