How to pronounce doleful
Say it like DOHL-ful. Doleful has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOHL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce doleful. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DOHL
- ful
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Doleful pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DOHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- fulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of doleful
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: DOHL-ful.
What does doleful mean?
- Filled with grief, mournful, bringing feelings of sadness.“The doleful peal of the bell indicated another funeral was being held.”
Where does doleful come from?
From Middle English doleful, doolful, deolful, equivalent to dole + -ful.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with doleful
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of doleful.
Questions about saying doleful
How do you pronounce doleful?
Say DOHL-ful. The American pronunciation is /ˈdoʊlfəl/. In British English it is /ˈdəʊlfəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in doleful?
Doleful has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOHL). Broken into parts: DOHL · ful.
Is doleful pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈdəʊlfəl/ (DOHL-ful).