HOW TO PRONOUNCE
basil
/ˈbæzəl/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:05
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BAZ-uhl: stress BAZ.
The first vowel sounds like cat, and s sounds like z. Other English pronunciations use a different first vowel.
2 syllables · Stress on syllable 1
TRY SAYING
“Fresh basil grew beside the kitchen door.”
APG practice sentence · CC BY-SA 4.0
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary ↗What does basil mean?
noun
- A plant (Ocimum basilicum).
- The leaves of this plant used as a herb.
- Any other species in the genus Ocimum.
More meanings (7)
noun
- The angle to which a joiner's tool is ground away.
- The skin of a sheep tanned with bark.
- Acronym of biphasic acid scavenging utilising ionic liquids.
- (obsolete) A type of cannon.
- (archaic, historical) A fetter fastened round the ankle of a prisoner.
verb
- To grind the edge of a tool to an acute angle.
proper noun
- A male given name from Ancient Greek, in quiet but steady use in the UK.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˈbæzəl/
Pronunciation used in the listening tip.
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
At Basil, the principal revenue of the state arises from a small custom upon goods exported.
“You are going to be sent home,” Basil said to her, “at the end of the week. And we’re glad of it.”
More book examples (3)
He began to wonder if he and Basil Hallward had ever met, and, if so, what they had thought of each other.
Brian and Basil are "punting", leave them their dice and their wine, Bertha is butterfly hunting, surely one hour shall be mine.
Broil three tomatoes, skin them and mix them with a tablespoonful of chopped ham, half an onion, salt, a dessert-spoonful of oil, a little pounded spice and basil.