4 syllables: in, ten, tion, al. Stress on ten.
in-TEN-shuh-nuhl
/ˌɪˈntɛnʃənəl/
intentional is pronounced in-TEN-shuh-nuhl (/ˌɪˈntɛnʃənəl/). It has four syllables (in-ten-tion-al), with the stress on "ten". Intentional describes something done on purpose and with deliberate planning, rather than by accident. It implies a conscious, goal-oriented act guided by intent or motive. In everyday use, it often contrasts with unintentional results, highlighting the speaker’s awareness and control over outcomes.
Intentional describes something done on purpose and with deliberate planning, rather than by accident. It implies a conscious, goal-oriented act guided by intent or motive. In everyday use, it often contrasts with unintentional results, highlighting the speaker’s awareness and control over outcomes.
Tip: practice slow to preserve the -ʃən- cluster and final -əl; gradually speed up while maintaining clean articulation.
"She made an intentional effort to arrive early and prepared the room for the meeting."
"The error was unintentional; the team apologized and corrected it promptly."
"His intentional gestures conveyed confidence and warmth during the presentation."
IPA: US ɪnˈtɛn.ʃə.nəl; UK ɪnˈten.ʃən.əl; AU ɪnˈten.ʃən.əl. Primary stress falls on the second syllable (ten). Start with a light, quick initial syllable ‘in-’, then a crisp ‘ten’ with a schwa-ish second to last syllable, and finish with ‘-al’. Mouth positions: lips relaxed, tongue neutral for ‘in’; place the tip behind the upper teeth for ‘ten’ with a crisp T; glide into the light, unstressed ‘shiən’ before the final ‘əl’.”,
Common mistakes include flattening the second syllable stress (saying in- TEN-sheh-nal) or turning the -tion- into a hard ‘sh’ plus ‘n’ cluster awkwardly. Another frequent error is misplacing the final -al as a full syllable with strong vowel; keep the final -al as a light, schwa-like sound. Correction tips: emphasize the second syllable with a clean T and a brief E sound, then reduce the middle (‘shi’) to a light ‘ʃən’ and finish with a relaxed ‘əl’.”,
US tends to reduce the mid syllable and emphasize the second syllable: in-TEN-shən-əl with a darker rhotic vowel if present. UK often lands with a clearer schwa in the penultimate syllable and may treat the ‘tion’ as /ʃən/ with a slightly crisper T. Australian tends to be syllable-timed with a more relaxed final -al; expect a light, almost neutral vowel in the final syllable and a soft ‘ɪ’ in the first, with the characteristic /ˈɪnˈtɛn.ʃən.əl/ rhythm. IPA references help you map the subtle vowel shifts across regions.
Two main challenges: first, the ‘ten’ cluster followed by ‘tion’ creates a quick sequence /ˈtɛn.ʃən/ that tests timing and vowel quality. Second, the final -al adds an extra weak syllable that can be swallowed if you’re not careful, often reduced to /əl/ in quick speech. Focus on sustaining a clean /t/ release into /ʃən/ with a light, unstressed /əl/ at the end. Practicing slow, then increasing speed helps you lock the rhythm.
A distinctive feature is the transition from the tense /t/ of the second syllable into the /ʃ/ plus /ən/ cluster, which creates a slight palatal quality on the /n/ before /əl/. Ensure you avoid a phantom vowel between /t/ and /ʃ/ by keeping the tongue blade high and the tip behind the upper teeth for a clean /t/ and the following /ʃən/ produced with a gentle, forward resonance.
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Vowel/consonant notes: /ɪ/ or /ɪn/ initial sounds; /ˈten/ with a strong T; /ʃən/ is the key cluster, avoid delaying the /ʃ/; final /əl/ should be brief.
Intentional comes from the Latin intentio, from in- 'in, toward' + tendere 'to stretch, strive' with the suffix -ional forming adjectives meaning 'having the character of or pertaining to.' The sense development centers on the mental act of tending toward a goal or purpose. In English, intentional acquired its current spelling and pronunciation through Old French influences after the Norman conquest, aligning with other -ional adjectives such as intentional, confluent, or confidential. First attested senses in English pivoted around ‘having intention’ or being guided by purpose, evolving to emphasize deliberate, premeditated action. The word’s semantic core—conscious design and volition—solidified in the early modern period as discussions of mens rea, choice, and agency expanded in legal, philosophical, and everyday discourse. The pronunciation shifted to stress on the second syllable in most varieties, aligning with similar multisyllabic adjectives ending in -tional. In contemporary usage, intentional typically coexists with unintentional to mark deliberate vs. accidental outcomes, reinforcing agency and accountability in communication.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "intentional" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "intentional" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "intentional"
-ial sounds
-al) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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