3 syllables: Go, ril, la. Stress on ril.
gur-IL-uh
/ɡɚˈɪlə/
Gorilla is pronounced gur-IL-uh (/ɡɚˈɪlə/). It has three syllables (Go-ril-la), with the stress on "ril". Gorilla is a large, powerful African primate with a broad chest, long arms, and a thick black-brown coat. The term also colloquially denotes someone large and strong. In zoology, it refers specifically to the genus Gorilla and its species, known for knuckle-walking in the wild. It is commonly used in everyday language to describe physical strength or a formidable presence.
nounGorilla is a large, powerful African primate with a broad chest, long arms, and a thick black-brown coat. The term also colloquially denotes someone large and strong. In zoology, it refers specifically to the genus Gorilla and its species, known for knuckle-walking in the wild. It is commonly used in everyday language to describe physical strength or a formidable presence.
"The gorilla at the zoo calmly watched the visitors from its enclosure."
"He lifted the heavy box with the ease of a gorilla, making the task look effortless."
"In the documentary, researchers tracked a silverback gorilla through the forest."
Pronounce as /ɡəˈrɪl.ə/ in US English, with primary stress on the second syllable: go-RIL-lah. In careful speech, you can articulate the first syllable as a reduced 'gah' or 'guə' depending on the speaker. The 'r' is rhotic in US and many UK speakers. For UK listeners, you might hear /ɡəˈrɪl.ə/ or /ˌɡɒˈrɪl.ə/ depending on regional variation. In Australian English, it's typically /ɡəˈɹɪl.ə/ with a rolled/trilled or tapped liquid in some dialects. Listen for the two short vowels and the light schwa in the first syllable, followed by the clear 'ril' or 'rill' sound, then a final schwa.
Common mistakes include stressing the first syllable (GO-ri-lla) instead of the second (go-RIL-la) and pronouncing the 'ril' as a hard 'l' cluster without the soft schwa before it. Another frequent error is compressing the word into a single syllable or mispronouncing the final 'a' as a full 'ay' sound. To correct: keep the second syllable stressed, deliver a light, quick 'ril' with a short 'i' and a final soft 'ə' (schwa). Use a finger-tade or jaw relaxation to ease the transition between syllables.
In US English, you’ll hear a clear 'go-RIL-uh' with a rhotic r and a short i. UK speakers may show less rhoticity in some regions and a shorter 'ɪ' vowel in the second syllable, producing /ɡəˈrɪl.ə/ or /ˈɡɒr.ɪ.lə/ in broader dialects. Australian speakers typically maintain a clear /ɡəˈɹɪl.ə/ with a relatively non-rhotic feel in some contexts but not universally; the 'r' can be less pronounced and vowels may shift slightly. The final schwa remains common across accents.
The difficulty lies in the two-syllable meter with stress on the second syllable and the 'ril' sequence that combines a consonant cluster with a short vowel. Learners often substitute a hard 'l' or misplace the stress, leading to GO-ri-lla or go-RI-luh. Mastery requires keeping a relaxed jaw, a short/bright 'ɪ' in the second syllable, and a soft final schwa. Practicing with minimal pairs and recording can help you hear and adjust the subtle vowel lengths and consonant timing.
A unique aspect is the 'ril' cluster where the tongue briefly contacts the alveolar ridge for a crisp 'r' followed by a short 'ɪ' vowel. Avoid turning the second syllable into 'gor-ILL-uh' with a strong 'l' or an elongated 'i'. Emphasize go-RIL-la rather than go-RIL-luh in careful speech, and keep the final schwa light. The alveolar 'r' and the gentle, quick 'l' are key to authentic pronunciation.
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Gorilla comes from the name of a large primate in Africa. The word entered English via Italian or Latin sources, with early comparisons to mythical brutish beings; however, the scientific name and modern understanding originate from natural history studies in West Africa, particularly from the 19th century when explorers and researchers documented large apes previously unknown to Western science. The initial misnomers often reflected the tribe or region where early reports came from and the need to categorize a new group of primates. The genus Gorilla was established by Carl Linnaeus or an early taxonomist, with species such as Gorilla gorilla (western lowland gorilla) and Gorilla beringei (mountain gorilla) later described. Throughout history, the term shifted from simply denoting a powerful creature to describing people with brute strength or formidable presence in colloquial usage. The word’s pronunciation has been stable in English, though the stress pattern and vowel quality follow typical Germanic-influenced pronunciations, and its usage has grown beyond zoology to metaphorical language in sports, business, and pop culture.
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Words that rhyme with "Gorilla"
-ler sounds
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