How to pronounce defray
Say it like dih-FRAY. Defray has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FRAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce defray. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- FRAY
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Defray 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.
- FRAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of defray
American and British speakers say defray in essentially the same way: /dɪˈfreɪ/ in the US and /dɪˈfreɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-FRAY.
What does defray mean?
- To pay or discharge (a debt, expense etc.); to meet (the cost of something).
Where does defray come from?
From Middle French desfrayer, French défrayer, from dé- + Old French fraier (“to spend”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with defray
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of defray.
Questions about saying defray
How do you pronounce defray?
Say dih-FRAY. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈfreɪ/. In British English it is /dɪˈfreɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in defray?
Defray has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FRAY). Broken into parts: dih · FRAY.
Do Americans and Brits say defray the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈfreɪ/ and the British form is /dɪˈfreɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.