3 syllables: Per, go, la. Stress on Per.
PUR-guh-luh
/ˈpɝɡələ/
Pergola is pronounced PUR-guh-luh (/ˈpɝɡələ/). It has three syllables (Per-go-la), with the stress on "Per". Pergola is a shaded walkway, arch, or pergola-like structure of latticework supported by columns, typically open to the sky and used in gardens or outdoor spaces. It is a decorative garden feature that provides partial shelter while allowing light and air to pass through. The term conveys a specific architectural element rather than a general canopy.
nounPergola is a shaded walkway, arch, or pergola-like structure of latticework supported by columns, typically open to the sky and used in gardens or outdoor spaces. It is a decorative garden feature that provides partial shelter while allowing light and air to pass through. The term conveys a specific architectural element rather than a general canopy.
"We walked through the pergola, enjoying the dappled sunlight on the vines."
"The couple rented a house with a wooden pergola over the patio for summer dinners."
"Climbing roses covered the pergola, creating a fragrant, romantic backdrop."
Pergola is pronounced per-GO-la, with the primary stress on the second syllable: /pɚˈɡoʊlə/ in US English, /pɜːˈɡəʊlə/ in UK English, and /pəˈɡɒlə/ in Australian English. Start with a schwa-like 'pər' sound, then a strong 'GO' with a long O, and finish with a light 'la'. You can listen to native pronunciations on Pronounce or Forvo to hear subtle differences.
Common mistakes: misplacing stress (saying per-GO-la vs. PER-go-la), mispronouncing the middle vowel (confusing 'go' with a short 'guh' sound), and muting the final 'la' (saying pergol or pergol-). Correction: emphasize the second syllable with a clear /ˈɡoʊ/ and finish with a crisp /lə/. Practice with minimal pairs to lock in the middle and final vowels.
In US English, the 'er' is rhotacized (pər-), the middle 'o' is tense /oʊ/. UK English shifts toward /ˈpɜːɡəʊlə/, with a less rhotic initial and a shorter final 'la'. Australian English is /pəˈɡɒlə/, with a broader back vowel in the middle and a shorter final syllable. Listening to real examples helps; Pronounce and YouGlish offer region-specific clips.
The difficulty lies in the unstressed initial syllable and the diphthong in the middle /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ across accents, plus the final schwa or syllabic 'la'. Speakers often reduce /pɚ/ to /pә/ or misplace the stress. Focus on keeping the second syllable strong and pronouncing the final 'la' clearly as /lə/ in US/UK and /lə/ or /lə/ in AU depending on locale.
Is the 'r' pronounced in non-rhotic accents when saying 'Pergola'? In most non-rhotic accents (UK), the 'r' after a vowel is not pronounced unless followed by a vowel, so you’ll hear /pɜːɡəʊlə/ with a lighter, non-rhotic 'r'. Practicing with connected speech helps; ensure the primary vowel quality in the second syllable remains open to support the long /oʊ/.
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Pergola originates from Italian, where 'pergola' referred to a projecting eave or a shaded walkway. The term appears in late 16th-century Italian architecture, likely derived from a Latinate root related to 'pérgola' or 'pergola' meaning 'projection' or 'shade’, with the sense evolving as garden architecture spread across Europe. In English usage, the word adopted the sense of a latticed garden feature, often freestanding or attached to a house, designed to provide a sheltered, open-air passage or seating area. The concept parallels other arbor-like structures such as arbors and gazebos found in Mediterranean landscapes. Over the centuries, pergolas became stylistically integrated into formal gardens and then into residential outdoor spaces worldwide, maintaining a nuance of decorative shade rather than complete enclosure. First known English usage dates to the 17th or 18th century, with later refinements in design and material—from timber to metal to composite materials—reflecting changing architectural fashions while retaining the core meaning of a lattice-covered walkway or roof-supported walkway.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Pergola" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Pergola" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Pergola"
-ola sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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