HOW TO PRONOUNCE
colonel
/ˈkɝnəl/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:45
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The spelling hides a “kernel” sound.
It sounds like kernel: two syllables, with the first strongest. The spelling has no separate l sound in the middle.
TRY SAYING
“The colonel addressed the group.”
APG practice sentence · CC BY-SA 4.0
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗What does colonel mean?
noun
- A commissioned officer in an armed military organization, typically the highest rank before flag officer ranks (generals). It is generally found in armies, air forces or naval infantry (marines).
- An honorary civilian title bestowed by some southern US states, most commonly Kentucky; notably Colonel Sanders of KFC.
- A form of address for an auctioneer, from the American Civil War practice of commanding officers organizing the public sale of seized goods.
More meanings (4)
verb
- To act as or like a colonel.
noun
- The military officer title.
- (historical) A military leader, distinct from the modern professional military rank.
- (dated) An informal title used to address an elderly man.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˈkɝnəl/
Pronunciation used in the listening tip.
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
The same traits of character might be seen in Colonel Lloyd’s slaves, as are seen in the slaves of the political parties.
The colonel lined up his regiment on the deck and said “it is our duty to die, that they may be saved.”
More book examples (3)
He jerked and wrenched savagely at his bridle, stopping the hard-breathing animal with a furious pull near the colonel of the regiment.
The warden had mentioned the circumstance to the curé, and both had paid the colonel a visit, on some pretext or other.
The Colonel pulled open a drawer, as Corey sat down again, and took out a photograph of the locality of the mine.