How to pronounce attain
Say it like uh-TAYN. Attain has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAYN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce attain. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- TAYN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Attain 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.
- TAYNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of attain
American and British speakers say attain in essentially the same way: /əˈteɪn/ in the US and /əˈteɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-TAYN.
What does attain mean?
- to gain with effort“she achieved her goal despite setbacks”
- reach a point in time, or a certain state or level“The thermometer hit 100 degrees”“This car can reach a speed of 140 miles per hour”
- find unexpectedly“the archeologists chanced upon an old tomb”“she struck a goldmine”
Where does attain come from?
The noun is derived from the verb.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with attain
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of attain.
Questions about saying attain
How do you pronounce attain?
Say uh-TAYN. The American pronunciation is /əˈteɪn/. In British English it is /əˈteɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in attain?
Attain has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAYN). Broken into parts: uh · TAYN.
Do Americans and Brits say attain the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈteɪn/ and the British form is /əˈteɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.