How to pronounce fingernail
Say it like FING-gher-nayl. Fingernail has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FING).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce fingernail. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FING
- gher
- nayl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fingernail pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FINGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- gherKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- naylGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of fingernail
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: FING-guh-nayl.
What does fingernail mean?
- The hard, flat translucent covering near the tip of a human finger, useful for scratching and fine manipulation.
Where does fingernail come from?
From Middle English finger neil(e); equivalent to finger + nail.
Questions about saying fingernail
How do you pronounce fingernail?
Say FING-gher-nayl. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɪŋɡɚˌneɪl/. In British English it is /ˈfɪŋɡəˌneɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fingernail?
Fingernail has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FING). Broken into parts: FING · gher · nayl.
Is fingernail 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 /ˈfɪŋɡəˌneɪl/ (FING-guh-nayl).