How to Pronounce Parallel

To pronounce "parallel", say PAR-all-el — 3 syllables, IPA /ˈpɛɹəˌɫɛɫ/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

parallel

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

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Syllables

Letters

/ˈpɛɹəˌɫɛɫ/

🇺🇸 IPA (US)

/pˈæɹəlˌɛl/

🇬🇧 IPA (UK)

💡 Tip for remembering “parallel”

Break "parallel" into 3 beats and lean on "PAR" — that's the stressed one. It rhymes with compel and propel, if that helps it stick.

What does parallel mean?

noun

One of a set of parallel lines.
Direction conformable to that of another line.

verb

To construct or place something parallel to something else.
Of a path etc: To be parallel to something else.

adjective

Equally distant from one another at all points.
“The horizontal lines on my notebook paper are parallel.”
Having the same overall direction; the comparison is indicated with "to".
“The two railway lines are parallel.”

Antonyms

perpendicular skew serial

Hear “parallel” 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 parallel

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

compel propel impel quell citadel ravel swell tell dwell shell cell expel

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "parallel"?▾

"Parallel" has 3 syllables: par · all · el.

What is the IPA transcription of "parallel"?▾

The IPA transcription of "parallel" is /ˈpɛɹəˌɫɛɫ/.

What does "parallel" mean?▾

Parallel: One of a set of parallel lines.

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