How many syllables are in “squirrel”?

“Squirrel” has 2 syllables: SKWUR-uhl.

What is the IPA for “squirrel”?

The American English IPA transcription of “squirrel” is ˈskwɝəl.

How can I practice pronouncing “squirrel”?

Press play to hear “squirrel” spoken by our AI model, then record yourself on this page to get an instant pronunciation score — your first try needs no account.

American English pronunciation

How to pronounce squirrel

/ˈskwɝəl/SKWUR-uhl2 syllables

“squirrel” turns on the American R — the sound that most shapes a neutral accent. It's 2 syllables (SKWUR-uhl), and the trick is in the sounds below — hear it, then say it back and let our AI model show you how close you landed.

Say it & get scored

Hear squirrel, then record yourself and our AI model will score your pronunciation, sound by sound.

The sounds to nail

/ɹ/as in red
American /r/: bunch the tongue back and slightly up. Lips rounded. Don't tap the roof.
/l/as in love
Tongue tip at gum ridge. At the end of a syllable ('feel'), the tongue body also pulls back — the dark L.
/w/as in we
Round and protrude lips, glide to the next vowel.

Trickier for some first languages

The sounds in “squirrel” are common stumbling blocks for speakers of:

Russian speakers →French speakers →Indian English speakers →Chinese speakers →

Common questions

How many syllables are in “squirrel”?: “Squirrel” has 2 syllables: SKWUR-uhl.
What is the IPA for “squirrel”?: The American English IPA transcription of “squirrel” is ˈskwɝəl.
How can I practice pronouncing “squirrel”?: Press play to hear “squirrel” spoken by our AI model, then record yourself on this page to get an instant pronunciation score — your first try needs no account.

Track your progress, free.

Create a free account to save your scores, see which sounds you miss most, and get drills picked for your native language.

More words to practice

world rural girl water