2 syllables: Pa, role. Stress on role.
pur-OHL
/pɚˈoʊl/
Parole is pronounced pur-OHL (/pɚˈoʊl/). It has two syllables (Pa-role), with the stress on "role". Parole is a legal term referring to the conditional release of a prisoner before completing the full sentence, under supervision. It can also denote a word of honor or a promise. In linguistics, parole contrasts with langue, describing the actual use of language by individuals within social contexts. It implies restricted freedom subject to rules and monitoring.
nounParole is a legal term referring to the conditional release of a prisoner before completing the full sentence, under supervision. It can also denote a word of honor or a promise. In linguistics, parole contrasts with langue, describing the actual use of language by individuals within social contexts. It implies restricted freedom subject to rules and monitoring.
- You may over-emphasize the first syllable, producing /pæˈroʊl/ instead of the natural /pəˈroʊl/; keep the first syllable reduced. - Avoid shortening the second syllable; let the /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ be long and glide into the final /l/. - Don’t flatten the final /l/ or make it a vowel-like /w/; end with a crisp light alveolar touch. - Some learners struggle with linking from /ə/ to /roʊ/; practice slow, then increase tempo while maintaining the schwa and the long diphthong. You’ll hear the rhythm settle into a two-syllable flow with stress on the second syllable.
How to Pronounce Parole
"The prisoner was granted parole after 15 years of good behavior."
"Parole conditions include reporting to a parole officer and adhering to curfews."
"In some jurisdictions, parole violations can lead to re-incarceration."
Parole is pronounced with two syllables: /pəˈroʊl/ in US and /pəˈrəʊl/ in UK/AU. The stress is on the second syllable. Start with a relaxed schwa in the first syllable, then rise into a long “o” sound in the second syllable, finishing with an clear 'l'. Think “puh-ROHL.” Audio references: you can compare on Forvo or YouGlish by searching “parole.”
Common mistakes include over-pronouncing the first syllable vowel (often saying /eɪ/ as in ‘pale’) instead of a reduced /ə/ and shortening the final /l/ to a light ‘l’ or dropping it. Some speakers mishandle the second syllable by making it too short or misplacing the vowel as /oʊ/ in all accents. Aim for a relaxed /ə/ followed by the long /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ and a crisp final /l/.
In US English, /pəˈroʊl/ places strong emphasis on the second syllable with a clear /roʊ/. In UK/Australian English, /pəˈrəʊl/ uses a shorter, darker first syllable and a longer diphthong in the second, often with a more rounded /əʊ/. The r-coloring varies: US rhotic, UK/AU typically non-rhotic in some dialects but often rhotic in Americanized speech. In all, focus on the stressed second syllable and the /l/ at the end.
The difficulty lies in the contrasting vowel qualities between syllables: a reduced first syllable /ə/ vs a strengthened second syllable /oʊ/ or /əʊ/. It also involves maintaining a clean final /l/ after a rounded diphthong, which can blur in connected speech. Additionally, non-native speakers may default to a pure /oʊ/ or misplace the stress. Practice by isolating the two syllables and then linking them slowly.
No. The first syllable is not silent. It uses a reduced vowel, typically a schwa /ə/ in UK/AU or a lax /ə/ in US speech. You should hear a soft, quick initial sound leading into the stressed second syllable. It’s not an overt vowel like /a/ or /e/; the sound is light and neutral, serving as a bridge to the more prominent /roʊl/ or /rəʊl/.
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- US: rhotic /r/; keep the /r/ pronounced as an approximant after the schwa, then a strong /oʊ/ before the final /l/. - UK/AU: non-rhotic or variably rhotic; focus on /əˈrəʊl/ with a rounded /əʊ/ in the second syllable and a less pronounced /r/ sound; ensure a clear /l/ at the end. - IPA references: US /pəˈroʊl/, UK/AU /pəˈrəʊl/. Practice with minimal pairs to feel the vowel shift and rhoticity.
Parole comes from the Old French parole, meaning a pledge, word of honor, or guarantee. It entered English in the late Middle Ages with senses tied to a formal promise or guarantee, often in the context of hostages or treaty terms. The modern legal sense of parole, meaning conditional release from prison, developed in the 17th–19th centuries as systems of conditional freedom evolved within common law frameworks. The word’s core idea—an individual’s public pledge or word given in exchange for certain conditions—remains central in both legal and social usage. Historically, parole was tied to the concept of a “pledge” that a prisoner would not harm others while awaiting a formal decision. Over time, parole conditions expanded to include reporting requirements, supervision, and behavior obligations, shaping its semantic development from a general promise to a formal, enforceable status within the penal system.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Parole" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Parole" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Parole" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Parole"
-ole sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
