How to Pronounce Cavil

To pronounce "cavil", say CAV-il — 2 syllables, IPA /ˈkæv.əl/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

cavil

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Accent

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Speed

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2

Syllables

5

Letters

/ˈkæv.əl/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “cavil”

"cavil" has 2 syllables: cav-il. It rhymes with ravel and travel, if that helps it stick.

What does cavil mean?

noun

  1. A petty or trivial objection or criticism.

verb

  1. To criticise for petty or frivolous reasons.

Synonyms

be hypercriticalnitpickpettifogsplit hairs

Hear “cavil” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with cavil

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

raveltravelgravelunravelgavelfavelgravellflavolflavellclavel

Related words

chicanecarpquibblecomplainobjectbeefcriticizecriticise

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "cavil"?▾

"Cavil" has 2 syllables: cav · il.

What is the IPA transcription of "cavil"?▾

The IPA transcription of "cavil" is /ˈkæv.əl/.

What does "cavil" mean?▾

Cavil: A petty or trivial objection or criticism.

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