REN-tuhl
/ˈɹɛntəl/
rental is pronounced REN-tuhl (/ˈɹɛntəl/). Rental is a noun (often used attributively) referring to the act of renting or to something that is rented. It can describe the period of letting (as in a rental agreement) or the property or item itself available for hire. The term emphasizes the temporary nature of use and payment of a fee in exchange for access to goods or space.
Rental is a noun (often used attributively) referring to the act of renting or to something that is rented. It can describe the period of letting (as in a rental agreement) or the property or item itself available for hire. The term emphasizes the temporary nature of use and payment of a fee in exchange for access to goods or space.
"I signed a rental agreement for the apartment next month."
"The car rental will include basic insurance and a full tank of gas."
"Her rental income is reported on her annual tax return."
Pronounce as /ˈren.təl/ (US) or /ˈren.təl/ (UK/AU). Put primary stress on the first syllable: REN-tuhl. The second syllable is a light, reduced /təl/ that you can make as a quick, soft syllable. It helps to start with ‘ren’ as in rent, then lightly pronounce ‘-təl’ without strong emphasis. If speaking quickly, the final vowel may sound like a schwa: /-tə/. Audio reference: try listening to native speech on pronunciation platforms or dictionaries.
Common errors: 1) Misplacing stress on the second syllable as REN-təl rather than REN-təl; ensure primary stress stays on the first syllable. 2) Over-pronouncing the second syllable: avoid 'RE-nuh-tall'; keep /ˈren.təl/ with a short, quick /təl/. 3) Not finishing with a clear /l/; end with a subtle /l/ rather than a vowel-led tail. Practice with minimal pairs and slow progression to maintain even syllables.
US/UK/AU all share /ˈren.təl/ with primary stress on the first syllable. Differences are subtle: in US, the final /əl/ may sound more like a schwa-plus-l (ɚl) in rapid speech, while UK typically has a crisper final /əl/; Australian often features a non-rhotic, slightly broader vowel quality and equally light final syllable. Overall, rhotics are similar; focus is on timing and the lighter, quicker /təl/ in all varieties.
The difficulty arises from the short, clipped final -al cluster /-təl/, which often becomes a very quick /-təl/ or even /-təl̩/ in rapid speech. English speakers also tend to reduce unstressed syllables; maintaining a clear first syllable with strong initial /r/ and avoiding vowel spoonerisms like /ˈren.tæl/ require precise tongue positioning and fiber of timing. Practice will stabilize the rhythm and reduce over-emphasis on the second syllable.
There are no silent letters in standard pronunciation for rental. The process relies on hearing and producing all phonemes: /ˈren.təl/. The challenge is executing the quick, light /təl/ and keeping the final /l/ clear. By anchoring the first syllable’s /r/ and vowel, and then lightly articulating /təl/ you can achieve a natural, fluent pronunciation.
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Rental derives from the verb rent, itself from Old English rentan, related to the German noun Rente and the Dutch huren (to rent). The form rental emerged in Middle English as a noun indicating something leased or the act of letting, aligning with other -al nouns that denote a state, condition, or process. Over time, rental extended beyond the act to describe the period or arrangement (a rental agreement, rental property, rental car). The primary semantic shift centers on the relationship between the renter and the owner, focusing on temporary possession in exchange for payment. First known use as a noun likely appears in the late medieval/early modern period in legal and mercantile contexts, with increasing common usage in the 17th–19th centuries as commerce and property leasing expanded. In contemporary English, rental frequently collocates with property, vehicles, and equipment, and the term is standard across American, British, and Australian varieties, maintaining the central idea of temporary, fee-based access to goods or space.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "rental" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "rental" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "rental"
-ral sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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