3 syllables: Re, new, al. Stress on new.
rin-OO-uhl
/ɹɪˈnuəl/
Renewal is pronounced rin-OO-uhl (/ɹɪˈnuəl/). It has three syllables (Re-new-al), with the stress on "new". Renewal is the process of making something new again or restoring it to a former condition. In law and business contexts it refers to extending or reactivating a term, contract, or license. It conveys rejuvenation, reconstitution, or a fresh start after expiration or decline, often implying ongoing persistence rather than dramatic change.
nounRenewal is the process of making something new again or restoring it to a former condition. In law and business contexts it refers to extending or reactivating a term, contract, or license. It conveys rejuvenation, reconstitution, or a fresh start after expiration or decline, often implying ongoing persistence rather than dramatic change.
"The company announced a renewal of the lease for another five years."
"Her renewal of the membership came with added benefits and updated terms."
"After the drought, there was a renewal of interest in water conservation."
Pronounce it as /rɪˈnuː.əl/ in US and AU English, /rɪˈnjuː.əl/ in UK English. The stress is on the second syllable: re-NEW-al. Start with a short, relaxed 'ri' followed by a long 'new' with a rounded /uː/ and finish with a light schwa and /l/. Audio references: you can compare pronunciations on Pronounce, Forvo, and YouGlish for natural usage in context.
Common errors: overpronouncing the first syllable as a full 'reh' (/ˈriːnjuːəl/), or gliding too soon into /nuː/ causing an unsteady /ɪ/ before the /n/. To correct: keep the first syllable as a light /rɪ/; elongate the /nuː/ using a clear, rounded lip posture; finish with a crisp /əl/ rather than a strong /l/. Ensure the middle /ˈnuː/ is stressed visibly by lengthening the vowel. Practice with minimal pairs like 'new' vs 'renew' and 'renewal' in frame sentences.
In US: r-colored vowel in the first syllable is subtle; final /əl/ is light. In UK: clearer /ɪ/ in the first syllable; /ˈnjuː/ is often realized with a distinct /j/ sound, sounding like ri-NYU-əl. In AU: similar to US but with more open /a/ in some speakers and a strong tendency toward the rhotic or non-rhotic variation depending on individual speaker; listen for a rounded /uː/ in the second syllable. Reference IPA: US/AU /rɪˈnuː.əl/, UK /rɪˈnjuː.əl/.
The difficulty centers on the diphthong in the second syllable /nuː/ blending with the following /əl/. The rapid transition from a long vowel to a light syllabic -əl can create a slight 2- or 3-way vowel reduction if not practiced. Additionally, the collision of the /n/ and /j/ in some accents can lead to an intrusive /j/ or subtle /ɹ/ effect. Focus on a clean /nuː/ then a crisp /əl/ to separate syllables clearly.
Unique to renewal is the seamless transition from a strong long /uː/ in the second syllable to a light /əl/ ending, which requires precise lip rounding and a relaxed jaw. The rhyme cue is with other -ual words like renewal, dual, jewel, but the exact vowel quality in the second syllable is crucial for correct intelligibility across accents. Remember to keep the stress on the second syllable, not the first.
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Renewal originates from the Middle English word renouvelen, which itself derives from Old French renouveler (to renew, to restore). The root renouvel- combines re- (again, back) with nuer or nou- from Latin novus (new). The Latin term nova (new) informs related forms in Romance languages. In English, renewal first appears in the 14th–15th centuries in legal and religious contexts, signifying restoration of rights or status. Over time, its usage broadened to general renewal of leases, licenses, memberships, or vigor. The word’s semantics shifted from literal creation of something new to the more nuanced sense of returning it to a prior or improved condition, or extending its validity. In modern usage, renewal is common in contracts, subscriptions, and personal development, often implying both continuity and improvement rather than mere repetition. Its collocations have become standardized in business English (renewal notice, renewal term, renewal deadline), reinforcing its functional nature across professional settings.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Renewal" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Renewal" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Renewal"
-ual sounds
-uel sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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