3 syllables: Re, ti, cule. Stress on Re.
RET-ik-yool
/ˈɹɛtɪkjuːl/
Reticule is pronounced RET-ik-yool (/ˈɹɛtɪkjuːl/). It has three syllables (Re-ti-cule), with the stress on "Re". As a noun, a small, decorative knot or fabric loop, historically used as a drawstring pouch or fashion ornament. As a noun, it refers to a delicate, often lace-trimmed pouch or bag, historically carried by women. In broader use, it denotes a reticulated pattern or mesh, though this sense is rare in modern usage.
nounA small, decorative knot or fabric loop, historically used as a drawstring pouch or fashion ornament. As a noun, it refers to a delicate, often lace-trimmed pouch or bag, historically carried by women. In broader use, it denotes a reticulated pattern or mesh, though this sense is rare in modern usage.
- You may over-stress the final syllable and turn RET-ɪ-kjul into RET-ɪ-KYOO-əl; keep it concise on the first syllable. - The /t/ should be a clean alveolar stop; avoid a tapped or flapped /t/ in careful speech. - The final /juːl/ can become /juːl/ or /kjul/; choose one and stay consistent; practice the glide into the vowel. - Do not mispronounce the middle /ɪ/ as a long vowel; keep it short to avoid modal vowel changes. - Use slow tempo initially, then increase speed to maintain accuracy; this stabilizes articulation across the three syllables.
How to Pronounce Reticule
"She wore a vintage reticule at the gala, complementing her evening gown."
"The museum exhibit displayed a 19th-century reticule with pearl embroidery."
"She tucked a small mirror and comb inside her reticule, keeping her hands free."
Pronounced RET-uh-kyool (US/UK: /ˈrɛtɪkjuːl/). Stress is on the first syllable. The second syllable contains a short 'i' as in kit, and the final syllable sounds like 'kyool' (like 'cool' with a y-approximation). Keep the /t/ crisp and avoid tensing the tongue at the transition to /ɪ/; aim for a light, rapid glide into /juː/ or /juːl/ depending on speaker. For audio reference, listen to standard American pronunciation on reputable dictionaries or pronunciation sites.”,
Common mistakes include misplacing the stress (putting it on the second syllable RET-ih-kyool), mispronouncing the final -cule as -kyooel or -kul; and pronouncing the /t/ too softly or as a d. Correct approach: keep stress on the first syllable, render the final as /juːl/ or /kjul/ with a clean palatal glide, and ensure the /t/ remains crisp. Practice with minimal pairs to reinforce the exact vowel and consonant sequence: RET-ɪ-kjuːl.
In US/UK, the word generally aligns as /ˈrɛtɪkjuːl/ with a rhotic influence in US speech, while UK tends toward /ˈrɛtɪkjuːl/ as well; AU follows similar pronunciations but with slight vowel lengthening in some regions. The key difference is vowel quality: Americans may have a more rounded /uː/ in the final syllable; Australians may exhibit subtle vowel shortening and a lightly rolled or flapped /t/ in fast speech, though standard reference remains close to /ˈrɛtɪkjuːl/.”,
The difficulty lies in the stressed first syllable and the final -cule cluster, which yields a /kjuːl/ sound that isn’t common in every word. The sequence /tɪk/ followed by /juːl/ requires precise mouth shaping: a crisp alveolar stop after a light front vowel, followed by a palatal glide into /juː/ or /jʊ/. Practicing with minimal pairs and controlled tempo helps stabilize the transition. IPA: /ˈrɛtɪkjuːl/.
The word has strong initial stress and a nonobvious final syllable -cule that produces a /kjul/ sound rather than a simple /kjuː/; some speakers may reduce the /t/ slightly in rapid speech. The combination of /t/ + /k/ before a /j/ can cause chewing-like or crisper tongue edge. Emphasize the first syllable and keep the /t/ crisp before the /ɪ/ to prevent slurring into /tɪk/ and then /juːl/.
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- US: maintain rhoticity; you’ll keep the /r/ at the start and a crisp /t/ before the short /ɪ/. Final /juːl/ should be rounded, not heavily elongated. - UK: similar to US, but you may notice less rhoticity in some accents; still maintain crisp /t/ and short /ɪ/. - AU: can have a slightly broader vowel in the /ɪ/ and a lighter /t/; keep the /juːl/ as a clear glide. IPA references: /ˈrɛtɪkjuːl/.
Reticule comes from French reticule, diminutive of restraint or net, from Old French reticule, which itself derives from Latin reticulum, meaning a network or small net. The sense developed in the 18th and 19th centuries to denote a small handbag typically carried by women, often made of fabric with intricate embroidery. The word entered English via French usage during the late 1600s to early 1700s, aligning with a broader fashion era when women carried small, ornate accessory bags. In Early Modern English, reticule referred to a little net or mesh structure and gradually narrowed to describe a personal bag with delicate ornamentation. Over time, the word’s rarity in contemporary usage reflects its historical costume association, though it occasionally appears in literature to evoke a vintage or period mood. First known uses are documented in 18th-century French fashion catalogs and English literature referencing women’s accessories, with the term becoming a staple in descriptions of period attire throughout the 19th century. Modern dictionaries retain the word chiefly as a specialized, historical term for a small decorative handbag.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Reticule" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Reticule"
-cle sounds
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