The most widely accepted correct pronunciation of the word is “NEW-clee-er. ” In this case (somewhat unusually), the word is spelled exactly how you are supposed to say it. Put the pronunciation on the first syllable. The “er” is pronounced like the “u” in the word “fur. " The pronunciation “NEW-clee-er” is widely regarded by experts as the “correct” pronunciation, even though another variant has been used so much by prominent people that, to some, it’s become another acceptable usage. [1] X Research source
The mispronunciation of nuclear is so common that it’s found its way into popular culture. In the 1989 Woody Allen film “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” Mia Farrow’s character says she would not fall in love with a man who pronounced the word “nucular. " Another version of this is “NOO-kyuh-lur. ”[3] X Research source President George W. Bush, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Bill Clinton have pronounced the word this way in the past. President Jimmy Carter said “newkeeuh. ”[4] X Research source Homer Simpson still says “nucular. ”
When a usage panel was convened by Harper Dictionary, members rejected this pronunciation 99 to 1. [5] X Research source People might be confusing the word with words like “circular” and “secular. ” At least one book attempted to argue the presidential versions were actually correct and that weapons labs since WW2 used the “nucular” pronunciation. It’s not a settled issue, though, so if you want to be safe, say, “NEW-clee-er. ”[6] X Research source
In the United States, the word is pronounced “NEW-klee-er” with the emphasis on the first syllable. However, in the United Kingdom, the word is pronounced “New-KLEE-ah” with the emphasis on the second syllable. The “r” sound at the end of the word is not as pronounced as it is in American English. [8] X Research source
