SKWUR-uhl
/ˈskwɝəl/
squirrel is pronounced SKWUR-uhl (/ˈskwɝəl/). Squirrel is a small to medium rodent with a bushy tail, known for gathering nuts and living in trees. The word denotes both the animal and, figuratively, a quick or skittish person. In everyday speech, it commonly appears in discussions of wildlife, outdoor activity, and idioms related to speed or agility.
Squirrel is a small to medium rodent with a bushy tail, known for gathering nuts and living in trees. The word denotes both the animal and, figuratively, a quick or skittish person. In everyday speech, it commonly appears in discussions of wildlife, outdoor activity, and idioms related to speed or agility.
"The squirrel scampered up the trunk, flicking its tail as it searched for acorns."
"A squirrel might hide nuts for the winter, relying on its sharp memory."
"We spotted a gray squirrel nibbling seeds near the park bench."
US/UK/AU pronunciation is the same: /ˈskwɜːrəl/. Start with /s/ then /k/ in a tight /sk/ cluster, move to /w/ immediately before the stressed schwa /ɜː/ (roughly like “shore” without r-color in non-rhotic accents), then end with /əl/ where the /l/ lingers. The primary stress falls on the first syllable: SKWIR-əl. In rapid speech, the /ɜː/ may shift toward a centralized vowel, but avoid losing the /r/ in rhotic speakers. Listen to natural samples: “Skwir-əl.”
Common errors include simplification of the initial /sk/ cluster (saying ‘skwir-əl’ with weak /sk/), and dropping or altering the final /əl/ into a plain /l/ or /ə/ without the clear /ɜːr/ element. Another frequent issue is flapping the /r/ in non-rhotic accents, causing an /ə/ or /əː/ instead of a discernible rhotic. To correct: practice the /sk/ onset quickly, maintain a mid-back vowel for /ɜː/ and finish with a distinct /əl/ by gently curling the tongue tip for the “l” while releasing air smoothly.
In US rhotic accents, /ˈskwɜːrəl/ retains a clear rhotic /r/ before the final syllable, with a centered-ish /ɜː/; UK and AU often have a slightly rounded, longer /ɜː/ and may reduce the /r/ in non-rhotic environments, making the /r/ less prominent. The vowel quality can be slightly more centralized in Australian speech. Overall, the main differences are rhoticity and vowel length, not drastically different consonants. Listen to regional speakers and mimic the length and rhotic presence to capture each variety.
The difficulty stems from the initial cluster /sk/ followed by /w/ and the mid back vowel /ɜː/ that can clash with the final /əl/. The tongue must move rapidly from a high front position for /s/ and /k/ into a rounded /w/, then to a mid-back vowel before a lateral /l/. In some accents the /r/ is rolled or tapped, adding further challenge. Coordinating these transitions smoothly is why learners often mispronounce as “skwirl” or “squirl.”
Yes. In squirrel, the sequence is /skw/ at the onset, where /s/ blends into /k/ and then immediately /w/ — effectively a /skw/ cluster. The vowel is a mid back /ɜː/ and the final /əl/ includes an /l/ release. Memorize the sequence as /s-k-w-ɜː-r-əl/ with the primary stress on /ˈskwɜːr/. Visualize the mouth moving quickly from a tight front position to a rounded back position for /w/ before settling into the rhotic vowel before /l/.
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The word squirrel comes from the Middle English sclirrel, borrowed from the Old French escurel, which itself derives from the Latin sciurius, a diminutive of sciurus. The ultimate origin traces to the Ancient Greek skuiras, via the Proto-Indo-European root *skew-/*skeh- indicating a cut or split, possibly alluding to the creature’s bushy tail as a distinguishing feature. In Early Modern English, the form varied regionally (screl, squirrell) before standardizing to squirrel. The term evolved semantically from “a small rodent with a notable tail” to include broader senses in some dialects, but modern usage remains tightly bound to the tree-dwelling, nut-storing rodent. First known written usage in English literature appears in the 14th–15th centuries, with later literary and natural history texts cementing the animal’s name in common vocabulary. Over time, the word has also entered idioms and expressions (e.g., “squirrel away” as hide away stores of nuts or valuables). The etymology reflects both the animal’s physical traits and the ways speakers distinguished it within the diverse rodent world.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "squirrel" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "squirrel" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "squirrel"
-irl sounds
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