How to pronounce bemoan
Say it like bih-MOHN. Bemoan has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MOHN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bemoan. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- bih
- MOHN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bemoan pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- bihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- MOHNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of bemoan
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: bih-MOHN.
What does bemoan mean?
- To moan or complain about (something).“He bemoaned the drought but went on watering his lawn.”
- To be dismayed or worried about (someone), particularly because of their situation or what has happened to them.
Where does bemoan come from?
From Middle English bemenen, bimenen, from Old English bemǣnan (“to bemoan, bewail, lament”); equivalent to be- (“about, concerning”) + moan.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with bemoan
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of bemoan.
Questions about saying bemoan
How do you pronounce bemoan?
Say bih-MOHN. The American pronunciation is /bɪˈmoʊn/. In British English it is /bɪˈməʊn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bemoan?
Bemoan has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MOHN). Broken into parts: bih · MOHN.
Is bemoan pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /bɪˈməʊn/ (bih-MOHN).