How to pronounce fay
Say it like FAY. Fay is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- FAY
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fay pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of fay
American and British speakers say fay in essentially the same way: /feɪ/ in the US and /feɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: FAY.
What does fay mean?
- To join (pieces of timber) tightly. The long edges of the staves of a barrel have to be fayed so that when it is assembled it will not leak.
- Of pieces of timber: to lie close together.
- Fitted closely together.
- A fairy.
Where does fay come from?
Inherited from Middle English feyen, feien, from Old English fēġan (“to join, unite”), from Proto-West Germanic *fōgijan, from Proto-Germanic *fōgijaną (“to join”), from *fōgō (“joint, slot”), from Proto-Indo-European *peh₂ḱ- (“to fasten, place”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with fay
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of fay.
Words that sound like fay
Questions about saying fay
How do you pronounce fay?
Say FAY. The American pronunciation is /feɪ/. In British English it is /feɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fay?
Fay is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: FAY.
Do Americans and Brits say fay the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /feɪ/ and the British form is /feɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as fay?
Fay sounds the same as fey in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.