How to pronounce allay
Say it like uh-LAY. Allay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce allay. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- LAY
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Allay pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of allay
American and British speakers say allay in essentially the same way: /əˈleɪ/ in the US and /əˈleɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-LAY.
What does allay mean?
- To make quiet or put at rest; to pacify or appease; to quell; to calm.“to allay popular excitement”
- To alleviate; to abate; to mitigate.“to allay the severity of affliction or the bitterness of adversity”
- Alleviation; abatement; check.
Where does allay come from?
From Middle English alayen, aleyen, aleggen, from Old English āleċġan (“to put, place, lay down, lay aside, throw down, give up, cease from, abandon; put down, allay, suppress, abolish, conquer, destroy, overcome, refute; lay upon, inflict,
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with allay
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of allay.
Questions about saying allay
How do you pronounce allay?
Say uh-LAY. The American pronunciation is /əˈleɪ/. In British English it is /əˈleɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in allay?
Allay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAY). Broken into parts: uh · LAY.
Do Americans and Brits say allay the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈleɪ/ and the British form is /əˈleɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.