TUHN-uhlz
/ˈtʌnəlz/
tunnels is pronounced TUHN-uhlz (/ˈtʌnəlz/). Tunnels refers to underground passages dug or used for transportation or drainage. In plural form, it denotes more than one such passage, typically conveying vehicles, water, or utilities. The word emphasizes the enclosed, corridor-like nature of these passages and is commonly used in engineering, transit planning, and urban infrastructure discussions.
Tunnels refers to underground passages dug or used for transportation or drainage. In plural form, it denotes more than one such passage, typically conveying vehicles, water, or utilities. The word emphasizes the enclosed, corridor-like nature of these passages and is commonly used in engineering, transit planning, and urban infrastructure discussions.
- Misplacing stress or over-emphasizing the second syllable, leading to TEN-els rather than ˈtən-əlz. - Slurring the /n/ into /ə/ making the middle sound like tŭ-nəlz instead of ˈtən-əlz. - Over-pronouncing the final /z/ as a hard /z/ instead of a light, voiced sound. Corrections: practice with a light, quick /t/ and a neutral schwa in the middle; keep the /l/ soft and the final /z/ crisp but not forceful; rehearse with minimal pairs and record for feedback.
"The city plans to expand the tunnel system beneath the river."
"Emergency crews searched the tunnels for signs of collapse."
"Tourists marveled at the ancient tunnels carved into the hillside."
Pronounce it as ˈtənəlz in US/UK/AU; the first syllable carries primary stress. Break it as TEN-uhlz or TUN-əlz depending on rapid speech. The initial /t/ is a crisp stop, the /ən/ is a schwa-plus-n sound, and the final /əlz/ represents a light, syllabic /l/ vowel combo followed by z. Think: ‘TEN-uhlz’ with a short, neutral first vowel, then a dark L in the second syllable. Audio resources: you can compare with recordings on Forvo or YouGlish and mirror Cambridge/Oxford pronunciations.
Common errors include over-syllabicating the second syllable (too strong /əl/), pronouncing the first syllable with a long vowel (TU-nels instead of ˈtən-), or finalizing with a voiced or softened z like /z/ in some accents. Correct by using a quick, unstressed first syllable with a clear /t/ plus /ə/ (schwa) then a light /l/ and a final /z/. Practice with minimal pairs like ‘tennels’ vs ‘tunnels’ in careful speaking and ensure the /n/ blends smoothly into /ə/.
In US English, the first syllable is stressed as ˈtən-, with a schwa and a more rhotic, but still non-rhotic in many dialects; /t/ remains a voiceless stop. UK English often features a shorter, crisper /t/ and a more centralized /ə/; final /z/ remains voiced. Australian English typically has a more centralized vowel in the first syllable and a slightly longer final /əlz/ with a less pronounced /t/?; overall, all share the /ˈtənəlz/ core but vowel quality and syllable timing vary. Listen to regional recordings to notice vowel height and rhoticity differences.
The difficulty centers on the cluster /t-ən-əlz/ where the schwa consonant sequence demands quick, accurate transitions between alveolar stop, schwa, and a syllabic L. The final /əlz/ blends the dark L with a z sound, which some speakers merge or devoice. Additionally, rapid speech can cause a reduced first vowel and less precise /n/ and /l/ articulation. Focusing on the crisp /t/, a neutral /ə/ in the middle, and a clear, light /l/ plus /z/ helps stabilize the word in connected speech.
Unique to tunnels is the strong first syllable with a clear alveolar stop followed by a reduced vowel, then an /n/ that must flow into an /əl/ sequence for the final syllable. Many speakers slip into a lengthened first vowel or mispronounce the /n/ into the /l/; the correct rhythm is quick, non-stretched middle, ending with a light /z/. Practice by isolating the /t/ and /n/ pair, then smoothly adding the /əlz/ without giving the final /z/ excessive force.
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- In US, /ˈtənəlz/ with a relatively lax first vowel; emphasize a clear, quick /t/ onset and a soft, almost silent /l/ before the final /z/. - In UK, a crisper /t/ and slightly more centralized /ə/ produce /ˈtʌn.əlz/ or /ˈtən.əlz/ depending on region; the trailing /z/ remains voiced. - In AU, vowels may be more centralized and the whole word can sound more clipped; ensure the /t/ is precise and the /ɫ/ is light if pronounced as an L-quality consonant. IPA references: US /ˈtənəlz/, UK /ˈtʌnlz/ or /ˈtənəlz/, AU /ˈtənəlz/.
The word tunnel comes from Old French tounele or tounel, derived from Latin tunella, a diminutive of tunus meaning “pipe” or “tube.” In English, tunnel first appeared in the 16th century, originally describing mine or shaft passages. The plural tunnels emerged in parallel with industrial expansion in the 19th century, as railroad and road networks required extensive underground routing. The term evolved to cover both natural and man-made subterranean passages, including drainage tunnels and subway tunnels. Over time, “tunnels” has broadened to describe any linear underground route for vehicles, utilities, or access, and is now ubiquitous in civil engineering, geology, and urban planning discourse. First known uses appear in technical writings about mining and railway construction, where long, covered corridors were essential for movement and safety. The plural form emphasizes multiple, interconnected segments rather than a single tunnel, often implying a network or system within a city’s subterranean infrastructure.
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Words that rhyme with "tunnels"
-els sounds
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