How to pronounce baleful
Say it like BAYL-ful. Baleful has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAYL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce baleful. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAYL
- ful
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Baleful pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BAYLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- fulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of baleful
American and British speakers say baleful in essentially the same way: /ˈbeɪlfəl/ in the US and /ˈbeɪlfəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: BAYL-ful.
What does baleful mean?
- Portending evil; ominous.
Where does baleful come from?
From Middle English baleful, balful, baluful, from Old English bealuful, which was equivalent to bealu + -ful.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying baleful
How do you pronounce baleful?
Say BAYL-ful. The American pronunciation is /ˈbeɪlfəl/. In British English it is /ˈbeɪlfəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in baleful?
Baleful has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAYL). Broken into parts: BAYL · ful.
Do Americans and Brits say baleful the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbeɪlfəl/ and the British form is /ˈbeɪlfəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.