How to pronounce disdainful
Say it like dis-DAYN-ful. Disdainful has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DAYN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce disdainful. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dis
- DAYN
- ful
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Disdainful pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- disKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- DAYNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- fulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of disdainful
American and British speakers say disdainful in essentially the same way: /dɪsˈdeɪnfəl/ in the US and /dɪsˈdeɪnfəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: dis-DAYN-ful.
What does disdainful mean?
- Showing contempt or scorn; having a pronounced lack of concern for others viewed as unworthy.“He was disdainful of those he thought of as the little people. He openly sneered at them. They mocked him behind his back.”
Where does disdainful come from?
From disdain + -ful.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with disdainful
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of disdainful.
Questions about saying disdainful
How do you pronounce disdainful?
Say dis-DAYN-ful. The American pronunciation is /dɪsˈdeɪnfəl/. In British English it is /dɪsˈdeɪnfəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in disdainful?
Disdainful has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DAYN). Broken into parts: dis · DAYN · ful.
Do Americans and Brits say disdainful the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪsˈdeɪnfəl/ and the British form is /dɪsˈdeɪnfəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.