4 syllables: My, s, q, l. Stress on My.
MEYE-es-kyoo-el
/ˈmaɪ ɛs kju ɛl/
Mysql is pronounced MEYE-es-kyoo-el (/ˈmaɪ ɛs kju ɛl/). It has four syllables (My-s-q-l), with the stress on "My". Mysql (pronounced M–Y–S-Q-L) is a popular open-source relational database management system. It is typically referred to as a product name rather than a standard word, and in speech users often say the acronym as individual letters or as “my-s-q-l.” The term is widely used in tech contexts to discuss database services, queries, and software development workflows.
nounMysql (pronounced M–Y–S-Q-L) is a popular open-source relational database management system. It is typically referred to as a product name rather than a standard word, and in speech users often say the acronym as individual letters or as “my-s-q-l.” The term is widely used in tech contexts to discuss database services, queries, and software development workflows.
"I set up MySQL on the server and started optimizing the queries."
"The developer documented the schema in MySQL using precise data types."
"We connected the app to MySQL and ran test migrations."
Say each letter: M (em), Y (wy), S (es), Q (cue), L (el); alternatively many speakers say the common blended form /ˌmaɪˈɛs.kjuːˌɛl/ or /ˌmaɪˈes.kjuː.ɚl/ depending on quickness. For clarity in mixed technical talk, pronounce the acronym as individual letters: /ˌɛm waɪ ɛs ˈkjuː ɛ ɛl/. The stress typically falls on the spoofed syllables in the plural sense, but in practice you’ll often hear emphasis on the whole acronym when introducing the product. Focus on crisp /m/ and clear /juː/ before /ɛl/.
Two frequent errors: 1) blending into a single syllable like /ˈmaɪɛskjuːɛl/ — correct by keeping each letter distinct: /ˌɛm waɪ ɛs ˈkju ɛl/. 2) dropping the final /l/ or blending /k/ and /l/ into /kɫ/; correct by articulating /k/ with a crisp stop and finishing with a clear /l/. Practice saying M, Y, S, Q, L in sequence slowly, then run it at normal speed. Emphasize the /k/ before the final /l/.
In US, you’ll hear /ˌɛm waɪ ɛs ˈkju ɛl/ with non-rhotic tendencies in rapid speech; the /ɹ/ or /ɚ/ are generally not added to the acronym itself. UK speakers may place stronger syllable separation and slightly different vowel timbre in /juː/ versus /ju/; AU speakers often blend less and maintain crisp consonants, with similar stress but a more clipped /ɛ/ in /ɛs/. All still preserve the sequence M-Y-S-Q-L; the main variance is vowel quality and flapping or rhoticity influence in context.
The difficulty lies in turning a five-letter acronym into natural speech while preserving each consonant’s identity, especially the cluster /s/ before /q/ and the final /l/. Quick speech risks eliding /s/ or merging /k/ and /l/. People also mispronounce /juː/ as /ju/ or misplace stress across the letters. The key is deliberate articulation: crisp /ɛ/ in /ɛs/ and a clear /k/ before /ɛl/, with steady, accent-neutral /juː/ or /ju/ depending on the speaker’s dialect.
People commonly search for whether to say the letters individually or as a word; you’ll see both approaches. The unique aspect is the combination of five letters into a recognizable brand with a widely known pronunciation pattern: /ˌɛm waɪ ɛs ˈkju ɛl/ or /ˌmaɪˈɛskjuːˌɛl/ depending on cadence. Understanding the preferred corporate pronunciation helps in professional settings, especially when teaching newcomers or presenting to teams. The emphasis tends to land on mid- and end- positions, guiding breath support for clear enunciation.
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MySQL originated as a portmanteau that combines the co-founders’ surname My, the idea of basic SQL, and the MySQL product’s association with the original company, MySQL AB, founded in Sweden in 1995. The name reflects the system’s core: My (from the founders or unknown personal origin in branding) + SQL (Structured Query Language), a standard for querying relational databases. It evolved as an open-source project in the late 1990s, gaining rapid adoption in web development. Oracle acquired MySQL AB in 2010, and subsequent forks and distributions continued under the MySQL brand, with the pronunciation largely sticking to the initials “M-Y-S-Q-L” or the common anglicized form “My-S-Q-L.” The term cemented itself in tech lexicon as a shorthand for a broad ecosystem of tools and services built around the MySQL database, including connectors, drivers, and hosting platforms. The first known use in tech discussions appeared in late 1990s mailing lists and early documentation, with widespread usage by 2000s web developers adopting the acronym in both speech and writing.
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Words that rhyme with "Mysql"
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