How to pronounce cattail
Say it like KAT-tayl. Cattail has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cattail. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAT
- tayl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cattail pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KATSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- taylKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of cattail
American and British speakers say cattail in essentially the same way: /ˈkætteɪl/ in the US and /ˈkætteɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: KAT-tayl.
What does cattail mean?
- A cat-o'-nine-tails.
Where does cattail come from?
From Middle English cattal, cattyle (also as cattestail), equivalent to cat + tail.
Questions about saying cattail
How do you pronounce cattail?
Say KAT-tayl. The American pronunciation is /ˈkætteɪl/. In British English it is /ˈkætteɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cattail?
Cattail has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAT). Broken into parts: KAT · tayl.
Do Americans and Brits say cattail the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkætteɪl/ and the British form is /ˈkætteɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.