2 syllables: Plu, ral. Stress on Plu.
PLUUR-uhl
/ˈplʊɹəl/
Plural is pronounced PLUUR-uhl (/ˈplʊɹəl/). It has two syllables (Plu-ral), with the stress on "Plu". Plural is an adjective meaning relating to more than one in form or number. In grammar, it describes nouns, pronouns, and verbs that indicate multiple entities. The term emphasizes quantity, with usage in phrases like “plural form,” “pluralism,” or “plural nouns.” It contrasts with singular, indicating a count greater than one.
adjectivePlural is an adjective meaning relating to more than one in form or number. In grammar, it describes nouns, pronouns, and verbs that indicate multiple entities. The term emphasizes quantity, with usage in phrases like “plural form,” “pluralism,” or “plural nouns.” It contrasts with singular, indicating a count greater than one.
- You focus too much on vowel length in the first syllable and neglect the rhotic /r/. Remember to release the /r/ clearly before moving to the second syllable. - You merge the second syllable too tightly, producing /plɹəl/ or /plʊl/; keep a light, distinct /əl/ sound. - You neglect the schwa in the second syllable, saying /ˈplʊrɪl/; aim for /ˈplʊr.əl/ with a reduced final vowel. - Tip: practice with a quick CV-CV rhythm: ‘PLUR-uhl’ with a short second vowel and slight separation.
How to Pronounce Plural
"The plural form of the word is formed by adding -s in many cases."
"In mathematics, plural goals are pursued by teams rather than individuals."
"The editor noted a plural noun was used where a singular would have sufficed."
Pronounce it as PLUR-əl with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA US: /ˈplʊr.əl/, UK/AU: /ˈplʊə.rəl/. Start with a short, rounded /ʊ/ in the first syllable and move to a schwa in the second for natural rhythm. If you have a strong rhotic accent, you’ll hear the /ɹ/ clearly in the first syllable.
Common errors: (1) Slurring the /r/ and making /pluːr/ sound like /plʊə/; keep the short /ʊ/ and crisp /ɹ/. (2) Dropping the second vowel and saying /ˈplɜːl/ or /ˈplɜɹl/; maintain a separate, light /əl/ in the second syllable. (3) Incorrect vowel in first syllable; aim for /ˈplʊr/ rather than /ˈplɜːr/. Practice with minimal pairs to distinguish /ʊ/ vs /ɜː/.
In US English, /ˈplʊr.əl/ with a rhotic /r/ and a clear /ə/ in the second syllable. In UK English, /ˈpluː.rəl/ or /ˈplʊə.l/ with less rhotic emphasis in some regions and a more centralized second syllable. Australian English tends to merge vowels toward /ˈplʊə.rəl/ with a softer rhotic and a slightly longer first vowel in some speakers. The key is preserving first-syllable stress and differentiating /ʊ/ vs /uː/ depending on dialect.
The difficulty often lies in the subtle vowel quality of the first syllable and the quick transition to a schwa-like second syllable. Non-rhotic listeners may compress the /ɹ/ or misplace lip rounding, causing a less distinct /r/ and an indistinct second syllable. Additionally, some speakers slide toward /pləː/ or /plʊə/ if not careful with the /ˈpl/ onset and the /əl/ coda. Focus on the clear /r/ and a distinct, reduced second vowel.
Yes. The word hinges on a two-syllable rhythm with strong initial syllable stress and a short, almost clipped second vowel. The /r/ in /ˈplɜr/ can be particularly challenging for non-native speakers in non-rhotic accents, where the /r/ isn't pronounced unless followed by a vowel. In many speakers, the /əl/ at the end is reduced to a quick schwa-like sound, so you want a clear but brief second syllable without adding extra length.
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- US: rhotic /ɹ/ clearly; keep /ˈplʊɹ.əl/ with a crisp /ɹ/ and a mid-to-low central vowel in the second syllable. - UK: may reduce /ɹ/ or blend to /ˈpluː.lə/; maintain first-syllable stress and ensure the second syllable remains light and unstressed. - AU: tends toward /ˈplʊə.rəl/ with a longer diphthong in the first syllable; keep a smooth transition to a lightly schwa-like second syllable. IPA references: US /ˈplʊr.əl/, UK /ˈplʊə.rəl/, AU /ˈplʊə.rəl/.- Use careful lip rounding for /ʊ/ and aspirate the /ɹ/ where appropriate, avoiding a vowel merger that collapses the second syllable.
Plural comes from the Latin pluralis, meaning ‘more than one’ or ‘plural,’ from plus, which means ‘more’ or ‘several.’ The word entered English via Old French plural, retaining its grammatical sense of quantity. In Latin, pluralis was used to indicate more than one item, particularly in nouns and verbs, aligning with the grammatical number system of the language. Over time, English borrowed pluralus and Latin plural forms to describe sets or groups in various disciplines, including grammar, philosophy, and everyday language. The concept expanded from strictly grammatical plurality to more abstract uses, such as describing pluralist ideologies or plural senses in literature. The earliest English instances of plural as an adjective related to quantity date back to Middle English, with earlier Latin and French influence seen in scholarly and ecclesiastical texts. By the Renaissance, plural had become a common term in linguistics for describing noun and verb forms indicating more than one, and it remains a foundational term in grammar, mathematics, and philosophy today.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Plural" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Plural" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Plural"
-ral sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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