2 syllables: Scoun, drel. Stress on Scoun.
SKOWN-druhl
/ˈskaʊndɹəl/
Scoundrel is pronounced SKOWN-druhl (/ˈskaʊndɹəl/). It has two syllables (Scoun-drel), with the stress on "Scoun". Scoundrel is a dishonest or unscrupulous person, typically a man, who behaves badly or breaks rules for personal gain. The term often carries a flipside of charm or bravado, implying a roguelike character. In everyday use, it can describe petty criminals or morally lax individuals in fiction, journalism, or casual speech.
nounScoundrel is a dishonest or unscrupulous person, typically a man, who behaves badly or breaks rules for personal gain. The term often carries a flipside of charm or bravado, implying a roguelike character. In everyday use, it can describe petty criminals or morally lax individuals in fiction, journalism, or casual speech.
"The city guard chased the scoundrel through the alley, but he vanished into a crowd."
"She dismissed him as a scoundrel after discovering his misleading financial statements."
"The novel features a charming scoundrel who hides his misdeeds behind a smile."
Pronounce it as /ˈskaʊndrəl/. Start with a crisp /sk/ cluster, then the /aʊ/ diphthong like ‘how,’ followed by /ndr/ and a soft /əl/. The primary stress is on the first syllable: SCOUN-drel. In connected speech, you may hear a very light /r/ depending on the accent; keep the /dr/ sequence clean to avoid blurring into /drəl/ as one syllable. Audio references: consult Cambridge or Forvo pronunciations for speaker variations.
Common errors include softening the /aʊ/ to /a/ or a flat /aʊ/, which makes it sound like ‘scund-ruhl,’ and mispronouncing the /ndr/ cluster as /nd/ or /dr/ separately, leading to ‘skound-rel’ or ‘skaund-ruhl.’ Another error is reducing the final /əl/ to a dull /l/ without the schwa, making it sound clipped. Correct by maintaining the /aʊ/ as a distinct diphthong, keep /ndr/ together, and release a light, reduced /əl/ in fast speech.
In US, UK, and AU, you’ll find the same primary stress on the first syllable. The /aʊ/ diphthong quality is slightly more fronted in American English; the /r/ in /ndr/ is rhotic in US, but non-rhotic in some UK varieties, affecting the perceived ending. Australians typically maintain a clear /r/ only before vowels in linked speech, with a relaxed /ə/ in the final syllable. Overall, /ˈskaʊndrəl/ remains stable, but vowel quality and rhoticity vary subtly across regions.
The difficulty centers on the /aʊ/ diphthong and the /ndr/ consonant cluster. Many learners mistakenly shorten the diphthong to /æ/ or split the cluster into /n/ + /dr/, losing the tight /ndr/ linkage. Another challenge is keeping the final /əl/ soft (schwa-controlled) rather than turning it into a hard /l/. Practice with minimal pairs that stress the diphthong and cluster, and use slow articulation before fast speech.
Is there a silent component in 'scoundrel'? Answer: No; all letters contribute sound in standard pronunciation. The initial /sk/ is a pronounced consonant cluster, and the /e/ in ‘rel’ is reduced to a schwa, not silent. Understanding that there is no silent letter helps prevent common omissions of the /aʊ/ diphthong and the /dr/ sequence.
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Scoundrel originated in English in the late 15th to early 16th century. Its etymology is uncertain, but it is often linked to words meaning ‘scout’ or ‘scound,’ though not in a direct, modern sense. Some scholars trace a possible relation to the obsolete Dutch word schandaal or scoundre, with the sense of misdeed or contemptible behavior. By the 18th century, scoundrel appeared as a pejorative term for a deceitful or villainous person, often a rogue who operates under a veneer of charm. In literature, the word gradually acquired a colorful, slightly humorous edge, as speakers contrasted a roguish personality with outright criminality. The evolution reflects societal attitudes toward petty criminals who mix wit and misdirection with less-than-honorable intent. First known use citations appear in print around the early 1500s in English legal and satirical texts, with modern popular usage reinforcing a stereotype of the charming but morally dubious male antihero.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Scoundrel" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Scoundrel" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Scoundrel"
-del sounds
-rel sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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