How to Pronounce Cradle

To pronounce "cradle", say CRADL-e — 2 syllables, IPA /ˈkɹeɪdəl/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

cradle

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying cradle, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

2

Syllables

6

Letters

/ˈkɹeɪdəl/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “cradle”

"cradle" has 2 syllables: cradl-e. It rhymes with ladle and hadal, if that helps it stick.

What does cradle mean?

noun

  1. A bed or cot for a baby, oscillating on rockers or swinging on pivots.
  2. The place of origin, or in which anything is nurtured or protected in the earlier period of existence.

    “a cradle of crime”

verb

  1. To contain in or as if in a cradle.
  2. To rock (a baby to sleep).

Synonyms

rockerrest

Hear “cradle” 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 cradle

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

ladlehadalbadalcadlehaydelmaidelradleseydel

Related words

rockbirthplaceprovenancebassinetcribcotrollerbracket

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "cradle"?▾

"Cradle" has 2 syllables: cradl · e.

What is the IPA transcription of "cradle"?▾

The IPA transcription of "cradle" is /ˈkɹeɪdəl/.

What does "cradle" mean?▾

Cradle: A bed or cot for a baby, oscillating on rockers or swinging on pivots.

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “cradle” in the full dictionary →