How to Pronounce Drill

To pronounce "drill", say DRILL — one syllable, IPA /dɹɪl/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

drill

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

Practice: Record & Compare

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

Syllable

Letters

/dɹɪl/

IPA

"drill" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with shrill and thrill, if that helps it stick.

noun

A tool used to remove material so as to create a hole, typically by plunging a rotating cutting bit into a stationary workpiece.
“Wear safety glasses when operating an electric drill.”
The portion of a drilling tool that drives the bit.
“Use a drill with a wire brush to remove any rust or buildup.”

verb

To create (a hole) by removing material with a drill (tool).
“Drill a small hole to start the screw in the right direction.”
To practice, especially in (or as in) a military context.
“They drilled daily to learn the routine exactly.”

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

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

How many syllables are in "drill"?▾

"Drill" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "drill"?▾

The IPA transcription of "drill" is /dɹɪl/.

What does "drill" mean?▾

Drill: A tool used to remove material so as to create a hole, typically by plunging a rotating cutting bit into a stationary workpiece.

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