How to pronounce crayfish
Say it like KRAY-fish. Crayfish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KRAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce crayfish. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KRAY
- fish
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Crayfish pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KRAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- fishKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of crayfish
American and British speakers say crayfish in essentially the same way: /ˈkreɪfɪʃ/ in the US and /ˈkreɪfɪʃ/ in the UK.
British respelling: KRAY-fish.
What does crayfish mean?
- Any of numerous freshwater decapod crustaceans in superfamily Astacoidea or Parastacoidea, resembling the related lobster but usually much smaller.
- A freshwater crustacean (family Cambaridae), sometimes used as an inexpensive seafood or as fish bait.
- A rock lobster (family Palinuridae).
- To catch crayfish.
- Alternative spelling of crawfish (to backpedal, desert, or withdraw).
Where does crayfish come from?
Doublet of crevette, crevis, and Krebs.
Questions about saying crayfish
How do you pronounce crayfish?
Say KRAY-fish. The American pronunciation is /ˈkreɪfɪʃ/. In British English it is /ˈkreɪfɪʃ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in crayfish?
Crayfish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KRAY). Broken into parts: KRAY · fish.
Do Americans and Brits say crayfish the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkreɪfɪʃ/ and the British form is /ˈkreɪfɪʃ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.