How to pronounce decay
Say it like dih-KAY. Decay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAY).
- dih
- KAY
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Decay pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- KAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of decay
American and British speakers say decay in essentially the same way: /dɪˈkeɪ/ in the US and /dɪˈkeɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-KAY.
What does decay mean?
- Rot; any processes or result of organic matter being gradually decomposed, especially by microbial action.“tooth decay/dental decay, wood-decay fungi, bacterial decay, photochemical decay”
- Deterioration of condition; loss of status, quality, strength, or fortune.“civic and moral decay, systemic decay, fall into decay, urban decay, arrested decay, memory decay”
- Radioactive decay; decomposition of an atom or its nucleus.“alpha decay, gamma decay, fission decay, decay chain”
- To deteriorate, to get worse, to lose strength or health, to decline in quality.“The pair loved to take pictures in the decaying hospital on forty-third street.”
- To undergo bit rot, that is, gradual degradation.
- To undergo software rot, that is, to fail to be updated in a changing environment, so as to eventually become legacy or obsolete.
Where does decay come from?
From Middle English decaien (“to decrease, diminish”) and decai (“deterioration, decline in value”), from Anglo-Norman decaeir (“to fall away, decay, decline”), from Vulgar Latin *dēcadere, etymologically restored form of Latin dēcidere (“t
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with decay
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of decay.
Questions about saying decay
How do you pronounce decay?
Say dih-KAY. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈkeɪ/. In British English it is /dɪˈkeɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in decay?
Decay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAY). Broken into parts: dih · KAY.
Do Americans and Brits say decay the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈkeɪ/ and the British form is /dɪˈkeɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.