How to pronounce doornail
Say it like DOR-nayl. Doornail has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce doornail. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DOR
- nayl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Doornail pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- naylGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of doornail
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: DAW-nayl.
What does doornail mean?
- A nail with a wide head, traditionally used in the construction and ornamentation of wooden doors.
Where does doornail come from?
From Middle English dore-nail, equivalent to door + nail.
Questions about saying doornail
How do you pronounce doornail?
Say DOR-nayl. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɔrˌneɪl/. In British English it is /ˈdɔːˌneɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in doornail?
Doornail has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOR). Broken into parts: DOR · nayl.
Is doornail pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈdɔːˌneɪl/ (DAW-nayl).