How to Pronounce Coal Tar
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Coal Tar Pronunciation
kole TAR
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
kole TAR
1 syllable
What is Coal Tar?
Coal tar is a thick, dark liquid byproduct created when coal is heated at very high temperatures without oxygen, a process called carbonization. It has been used in medicine for over a century to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis by slowing down the rapid growth of skin cells and reducing itching and inflammation. It is available in shampoos, creams, ointments, and lotions, either by prescription or over the counter.
Questions About Coal Tar
How do you pronounce 'coal tar'?
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Coal tar is pronounced like the word "coal" (rhymes with "hole") followed by "tar" (rhymes with "car"). Say it together as one phrase: **KOLE TAR**. The first word sounds just like the dark mineral fuel, and the second word is the sticky substance.
Which syllable is stressed in 'coal tar'?
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The stress falls on the first syllable: **KOLE** tar. You say "KOLE" a bit louder and longer than "tar." A common mistake is stressing both syllables equally, but "KOLE" should definitely get more emphasis.
How many syllables does 'coal tar' have?
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Coal tar has two syllables total: **KOLE** (first) and **tar** (second). When you say it out loud, you should hear two distinct beats.
What's a common mispronunciation of 'coal tar'?
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Some people say "cole" (with a long 'o' sound, like the vegetable) instead of "coal," but the correct way rhymes with the word "goal." Another mistake is pronouncing it as two separate words with odd rhythm—remember it's one term that flows naturally: **KOLE TAR**.
Can you use 'coal tar' in a sentence?
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Here's an example: "The dermatologist prescribed a coal tar preparation for the patient to use on the affected skin area." In medical settings, you might also hear it shortened to just "coal tar" when discussing medication options.
Is there a short or abbreviated form of 'coal tar'?
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Coal tar is usually just called "coal tar"—it doesn't have a common abbreviation like some other medical terms do. In writing, you might see it written as "coal tar" or "coal-tar" (with a hyphen), but you always say it the same way: **KOLE TAR**.
How is 'coal tar' different from just saying the two words separately?
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Even though coal tar is two separate words, it functions as a single medical term with a natural rhythm. You shouldn't pause between the words or stress them equally—say it smoothly as **KOLE TAR**, with the emphasis on the first part, just like you'd say "ice cream" or "high blood pressure."