4 syllables: In, cre, di, ble. Stress on cre.
in-KRED-uh-buhl
/ˌɪnˈkɹɛdəbəl/
Incredible is pronounced in-KRED-uh-buhl (/ˌɪnˈkɹɛdəbəl/). It has four syllables (In-cre-di-ble), with the stress on "cre". Incredible is an adjective describing something extraordinary or hard to believe, often eliciting strong admiration or surprise. It denotes high degree or intensity and implies that the subject surpasses ordinary expectations in a remarkable or unbelievable way. In everyday use, it can be a mild compliment or a heightened reaction depending on context and tone.
adjectiveIncredible is an adjective describing something extraordinary or hard to believe, often eliciting strong admiration or surprise. It denotes high degree or intensity and implies that the subject surpasses ordinary expectations in a remarkable or unbelievable way. In everyday use, it can be a mild compliment or a heightened reaction depending on context and tone.
"The magician performed an incredible trick that left the audience speechless."
"Her dedication to the project produced incredible results in a surprisingly short time."
"That restaurant serves incredible desserts; I couldn’t decide which one to try."
You pronounce it as in-CRED-i-ble with the primary stress on the second syllable. IPA: US ɪnˈkrɛdəbəl, UK ɪnˈkrɛdəbəl, AU ɪnˈkrɛdəbəl. Start with a short “in” (ɪn), then a strong stress on the “cred” (ˈkrɛd), followed by a light “ə” (ə), and end with “bəl” (bəəl). In careful speech, keep the r-coloring light in American and British accents; in Australian it’s similar but with a slightly more centralized vowel in the final syllable. Audio reference: [Pronunciation resources like Pronounce or Forvo can be used for hearing natural instances].
Common mistakes include misplacing the stress (putting it on the first syllable in-CRED-i-ble), pronouncing the middle vowel as a pure 'e' rather than a schwa, and saying ‘in-KRED-uh-bull’ with a heavy final -l. Correct by stressing the second syllable, using a short, lax schwa in the third syllable, and finishing with a light, weak -ble. Practice with slow, exaggerated enunciation then reduce to natural speed.
In US and UK, the main stress sits on the second syllable (in-CRED-i-ble). US tends to have a rhotic 'r' influence before the vowel, but in this word the R is not prominent. UK often features a more clipped /ɪnˈkrɛdəbəl/ with slightly shorter vowels. Australian English resembles UK vowels but with a more centralized final -ə and a flatter intonation. Overall, vowel quality in the stressed syllable leans toward /ɛ/ in all three, while rhoticity is less pronounced in non-rhotic varieties.
The difficulty centers on the three-syllable rhythm with a strong secondary beat and the mid central vowel in the third syllable. The tricky part is maintaining accurate /krɛ/ timing and avoiding a drawn-out or over-shortened middle syllable. Additionally, the final -ble often reduces to a light /bəl/; keeping clarity requires a gentle, controlled articulation of the /b/ and the /əl/.
For a word-specific tip: keep the 'cred' cluster tight and crisp, with the tongue bunched for /kr/; don’t let the /k/ and /r/ blend into a dull start. Start with a quick, clean /ɪn/ then snap into /ˈkrɛd/ before easing into /əbl/—the final -ble is a light, almost syllabic /lə/ sound. This helps prevent a delayed onset of /d/ and a heavy -ble ending.
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Incredible comes from late Latin incredibilis, meaning “not to be believed,” itself from in- (not) + credibilis (believable), from Latin credere (to believe). The word entered English in the 15th–16th centuries and initially retained its sense of something that cannot be believed. Over time, the nuance shifted toward “extraordinary” or “wonderful” rather than purely unbelievable, especially in colloquial usage. The root cred- appears across English still in credit, credible, credence, and creed. The evolution reflects a broadening from the negative predicate “not to be believed” to a positive evaluative descriptor for remarkable attributes, deeds, or phenomena. First known uses are documented in Renaissance-era English texts where scholars described achievements or events as incredible to emphasize their rarity or awe. In modern usage, incredible commonly appends to adjectives and verbs to intensify sentiment, and can be used both sincerely and hyperbolically.
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Words that rhyme with "Incredible"
-ble sounds
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