How to Pronounce Gerbil

To pronounce "gerbil", say GERB-il — 2 syllables, IPA /ˈdʒɜːbl̩/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

gerbil

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Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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Syllables

Letters

/ˈdʒɜːbl̩/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “gerbil”

"gerbil" has 2 syllables: gerb-il. It rhymes with gerbille and wirble, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: gerbille, jirrbal — easy to mix up when writing.

What does gerbil mean?

noun

One of several species of small, jumping, murine rodents, of the genus Gerbillus and certain other genera in subfamily Gerbillinae, with leaping powers resembling the jerboa, native to Africa, India, and Southern Europe.

verb

To rotate inside a monowheel or similar apparatus due to sudden acceleration or braking.
To insert a small animal into one's rectum (a sexual practice in urban myth).

Hear “gerbil” 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 gerbil

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

gerbille wirble worble jirrbal erbil irbil

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "gerbil"?▾

"Gerbil" has 2 syllables: gerb · il.

What is the IPA transcription of "gerbil"?▾

The IPA transcription of "gerbil" is /ˈdʒɜːbl̩/.

What does "gerbil" mean?▾

Gerbil: One of several species of small, jumping, murine rodents, of the genus Gerbillus and certain other genera in subfamily Gerbillinae, with leaping powers resembling the jerboa, native to Africa, India, and Southern Europe.

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