2 syllables: pa, rol. Stress on rol.
puh-ROHL
/pəˈroʊl/
parol is pronounced puh-ROHL (/pəˈroʊl/). It has two syllables (pa-rol), with the stress on "rol". Parol is a term used in various languages and contexts to denote a spoken word, a declaration, or a formal pledge. In some linguistic uses, it can reference a parole or promise-related concept, while in others it appears as a proper noun or loanword. The precise meaning depends on the language and field of use, but the core idea centers on speech, oath, or a stated term.
Parol is a term used in various languages and contexts to denote a spoken word, a declaration, or a formal pledge. In some linguistic uses, it can reference a parole or promise-related concept, while in others it appears as a proper noun or loanword. The precise meaning depends on the language and field of use, but the core idea centers on speech, oath, or a stated term.
- You may unconsciously tilt toward a latitude of /pæˈrɔl/ by using a short 'a' or misplacing the stress; instead, practice /pəˈrɔːl/ with a neutral first syllable and a long second syllable. - The /r/ can be mispronounced in non-rhotic accents. Try producing a light /r/—or skip it in non-rhotic contexts—without weakening the vowel. - Final L can be dark or sound like a vowel. Aim for a crisp alveolar /l/ that doesn’t add extra vowel after the L. - Substituting /ɔː/ with /ɒ/ or /ɒː/ in some dialects can alter meaning. Use a tense, rounded /ɔː/ in the second syllable.
"The contract included a parol promise that the goods would arrive on time."
"In law, parol evidence refers to statements not written in the contract."
"She gave a parol of confidentiality before discussing the details."
Pronounce it as /pəˈrɔːl/ (US /pəˈrɒl/). The first syllable is unstressed, the second carries primary stress with a long, open o sound. Tip: start with a soft, schwa-like 'pa' and then glide to a clear long 'or' before ending with a light 'l'. Listen for the two-phoneme onset of /rə/—blend the 'r' with a quick schwa before the stressed /ɔːl/. Audio resources: Cambridge Online Dictionary and Forvo entries can provide native speaker examples.
Common errors: misplacing stress (say 'PA-rol' instead of 'pa-ROL'), shorting the second syllable vowel to /ɒ/ or /æ/ instead of /ɔː/, and unloading the final 'l' into a dark or vocalized L. Correction tips: rehearse with the IPA /pəˈrɔːl/ using a quick transition from a soft 'p' to a rounded 'ɔː' before finishing with a light 'l'. Practice by saying vectors: [pə]-[ˈrɔː]-[l], emphasizing the second syllable and maintaining lip rounding for /ɔː/.
In US English, /pəˈrɒl/ with a shorter /ɒ/ in the first part and a tenser /l/ at the end; in UK English, /pəˈrɔːl/ with a longer /ɔː/ and a non-rhotic /r/ in most accents, so the /r/ is less pronounced; Australian accents typically align with UK/RP patterns but can have a slightly broader vowel in /ɔː/ and a clearer /l/. Overall, the vowel length and rhoticity influence the perceived quality of the second syllable.
Difficulties stem from the stressed second syllable vowel length and quality, the rhotic vs non-rhotic r realization, and a final light 'l' that can become syllabic or dark. For non-native speakers, the challenge is producing /ˈrɔːl/ without adding extra vowels or turning it into /ɒl/. Mastery requires precise lip rounding for /ɔː/ and a clean alveolar /l/ after the vowel.
In normal English pronunciation, parol is not silent; both syllables are articulated. However, in rapid speech or connected speech, the final /l/ may be lightly elided in some dialects, especially in casual speech, yielding a softer or almost syllabic /l/ rather than a fully articulated consonant. To maintain clarity, keep the final /l/ audible in formal or careful speech.
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- US: /pəˈrɑːl/ or /pəˈrɒl/ with rhoticity, keep the /r/ light. - UK: /pəˈrɔːl/, non-rhotic 'r' in many dialects; maintain rounded /ɔː/ and a clean final /l/. - AU: /pəˈrɔːl/ with a slightly broader vowel and a more pronounced final /l/. IPA references: US /pəˈrɒl/ or /pəˈrɔːl/ depending on region, UK /pəˈrɔːl/; AU /pəˈrɔːl/.
Parol derives from the Latin parolus (small, little) and the French parole, which entered English via Old French parole meaning a word spoken, a pledge, or a promise. The legal use of parol refers to evidence of terms not contained in a written contract (parol evidence rule), tracing to early English common law where oral terms could be excluded to determine the contract’s true written terms. The broader sense of ‘parol’ as spoken or verbal originates from the Latin root word parola (speech, talk) and passed into various European languages with similar meaning, evolving in legal, religious, and common usage. Over centuries, parol retained its core association with spoken assurance, evolving into technical terms (parol evidence) and colloquial phrases, while remaining a recognizable loanword in English and many other languages. The first known English written references appear in medieval legal glosses discussing evidence and contractual terms, with usage expanding in the early modern period to general talk of promises and verbal declarations. The word’s journey from Latin to Romance languages and into English reflects the enduring emphasis on voice and oath in social contracts and personal assurances.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "parol" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "parol"
-oll sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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