5 syllables: Im, per, turb, a, ble. Stress on turb.
im-pur-TUR-buhl
/ɪm.pɚˈtɝː.bəl/
Imperturbable is pronounced im-pur-TUR-buhl (/ɪm.pɚˈtɝː.bəl/). It has five syllables (Im-per-turb-a-ble), with the stress on "turb". Imperturbable means not easily disturbed or agitated; remaining calm and composed even in challenging situations. It conveys steadiness of mind and emotional steadiness, often implying unflappability and steadfast self-control in the face of pressure or provocation.
adjectiveImperturbable means not easily disturbed or agitated; remaining calm and composed even in challenging situations. It conveys steadiness of mind and emotional steadiness, often implying unflappability and steadfast self-control in the face of pressure or provocation.
"Her imperturbable demeanor helped her navigate the crisis with quiet confidence."
"The coach remained imperturbable as the crowd grew louder, focusing on the next play."
"Even after the mistake, he gave an imperturbable smile and apologized calmly."
You say im-per-TUR-ba-ble, with the primary stress on the fourth syllable: /ɪmˈpɜːrtərˌbeɪbəl/ in US and UK IPA. For US, the vowels are a short i in the first syllable, a stressed rhotacized middle, and an unsounded final 'ble' as a schwa+l cluster; UK tends to a similar pattern with a slightly stiffer final consonant transition. Break it into 4 syllables: im-per-TUR-ba-ble. Practice by emphasizing TUR and keeping the rest light and quick.
Common errors include misplacing stress (placing it too early on im- or per-), pronouncing the 'perturb' part as per-TURB (over-aspirating or stressing the wrong syllable), and slurring the final -able to ‘abil’ or ‘able’ without a light schwa. Correct by marking syllable stress: im-per-TUR-ba-ble; keep the /ɜːr/ sound centralized in the stressed syllable and finish with a light, unstressed -ble. Use slow pronunciation to internalize the rhythm.
Across accents, the main variation is in the rhotacized vowel /ɜːr/ in the stressed syllable and the quality of the final -ble. US often uses /ɪmˈpɜːrtərˌbeɪbəl/ with rhotic r and a stronger 'er' in the middle; UK tends toward /ɪmˈpɜːtəb(ə)l/ with a shorter second vowel and less pronounced r in non-rhotic British accents; Australian English sits between US and UK, with a clear rhotic but slightly softer vowels and a final syllable closer to /-bəl/. Key points: rhotic tensing, vowel width, and the final -ble cluster reduction varies.” ,
Its difficulty stems from the multi-syllabic length and the cluster -perturb- which isn’t a common sequence in casual speech. The middle syllable demands a clear /ˈpɜːr/ or /ˈpɜːtə/ with a subtle r-coloring and a need to avoid an overly strong trill. The final -ble requires a light, quick schwa and a soft 'l' closure. Finally, the overall rhythm shifts between stressed and unstressed syllables, so you must maintain even tempo while preserving the central stress.
A unique aspect is the slightly reduced second syllable in many non-emphatic readings: im-per-TUR-bable, where the -per- portion is quick and light, and the key visual cue is the prominent TUR in the stressed syllable. The combination of the /˜ər/ or /ˈtɜːr/ vowel with a rounded but not heavily stressed -ba- can make learners slip into an easier but incorrect schwa in the middle. Emphasize the stressed syllable and keep the other syllables compressed.
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Imperturbable comes from the French imperturbable, formed from in- (not) + perturbare (to disturb, throw into disorder). The Latin perturbare meaning to disturb or throw into confusion evolved into Old French perturbable and then imperturbable in English by the early 17th century. The word embeds perturb- (to disturb) with the prefix in- (not), yielding the sense of not capable of being disturbed. It originally carried a slightly formal or literary tone, often describing a person’s remarkable calm under stress. Over time, imperturbable gained broader usage beyond mere weathering of storms to denote an almost philosophical steadiness, sometimes with a touch of wry admiration. First known print attestations appear in literary and scholarly contexts of the 1600s, with gradual adoption into academic and rhetorical prose as a credential of composure under pressure.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Imperturbable" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Imperturbable"
-ble sounds
-me) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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