5 syllables: Ir, re, vo, ca, ble. Stress on re.
ir-EV-uh-kuh-buhl
/ˌɪˈɹɛvəkəbəl/
Irrevocable is pronounced ir-EV-uh-kuh-buhl (/ˌɪˈɹɛvəkəbəl/). It has five syllables (Ir-re-vo-ca-ble), with the stress on "re". Irrevocable is an adjective describing something that cannot be repealed, revoked, or undone. It denotes a final, irreversible state or decision, often carrying legal or solemn implications. The term emphasizes permanence and the lack of possibility for reversal.
nounIrrevocable is an adjective describing something that cannot be repealed, revoked, or undone. It denotes a final, irreversible state or decision, often carrying legal or solemn implications. The term emphasizes permanence and the lack of possibility for reversal.
How to Pronounce Irrevocable
"The contract contained an irrevocable clause that ended any further revision."
"Once the verdict was delivered, a remand was impossible—the decision was irrevocable."
"She signed an irrevocable agreement, locking in the terms for years to come."
Pronounce it as i-RREV-ə-kə-bəl. Primary stress on the second syllable, with a schwa in the fourth syllable. IPA: US / ɪˈrɛvəkəbəl /, UK / ɪˈrɛvəkəbəl /. The sequence moves quickly: i (short i) + RREV (two r-colored vowels) + ə (schwa) + kə (stressed? not; unstressed) + bəl. Listen for the subtle reduction in the middle vowels and the light touch on the final -ble.
Common errors: misplacing stress (say e.g., i-rev-ə-CA-ble), pronouncing the middle -va- as long or stressed, and slurring the final -ble into -bul. Correction: keep primary stress on the second syllable i-RREV-ə-kə-bəl, ensure the -va- is a quick, unstressed schwa sequence, and clearly pronounce the final -ble as -bəl with a light b and schwa-less or reduced l. Practice with slow enunciation first, then speed up while keeping accuracy.
Across accents, the core vowels remain similar, but rhoticity matters. US/Canadian speakers often have rhotic r after the vowel, while UK and AU accents may be non-rhotic; however, in this word the r is followed by a vowel, so you’ll hear a clear /r/ in US and some UK dialects before the schwa. The final -ble syllable may have a sharper l in US, a darker vowel quality in UK, and a slightly flatter vowel in AU. Overall, primary stress stays on the second syllable.
The difficulty lies in maintaining the two consecutive tames of vowels and consonants: the /r/ cluster, the unstressed yet present middle vowels, and the final -ble cluster. The sequence /ɪˈrɛvəkəbəl/ requires balanced articulation: a light, quick middle schwa, a clear but not exaggerated final -bəl, and stable lip/jaw positions to avoid tensing before the final l. Also, the secondary stress on the 4th syllable in longer phrases can cause rhythm shifts.
There are no silent letters in general pronunciation. Every syllable contributes: the initial i-, the stressed -rrev-, the schwa-vo- sequence, and the final -ble with a light /l/. The difficulty comes from rapid enunciation of the multi-syllabic structure and keeping the schwa in the middle while maintaining a crisp final syllable. Ensure you don’t glide vowels into each other too much and preserve the final -əl sound.
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Irrevocable comes from the prefix in- (expressing negation) + re- (back, again) + voc- (to call) + -able (able to be). The root voc- derives from Latin vocare, meaning to call or summon. The overall sense evolved from the idea of a decision or action that cannot be called back or undone once enacted. In English, irrevocable appeared in the 17th century, initially in legal and formal prose to describe acts and clauses that are binding and cannot be annulled. Over time, its usage broadened to general, non-legal contexts, while maintaining the strong connotation of permanence. The word’s form reflects its Latin lineage, and its syllable structure (i-rre-vo-ca-ble) tends to influence careful enunciation in careful speech. First known uses appear in legal texts and ecclesiastical communications, where statements or vows were described as irrevocable, underscoring their solemn and irreversible nature.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Irrevocable" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Irrevocable"
-ble sounds
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