How to pronounce forestall
Say it like for-STAWL. Forestall has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STAWL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce forestall. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- for
- STAWL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Forestall pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- forKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- STAWLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of forestall
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: faw-STAWL.
What does forestall mean?
- To prevent, delay or hinder something by taking precautionary or anticipatory measures; to avert.“Fred forestalled disaster by his prompt action.”
- To preclude or bar from happening, render impossible.“In French, an aspired h forestalls elision.”
- To anticipate, to act foreseeingly.
- Something situated or placed in front.
Where does forestall come from?
From Middle English forestallen (“to forestall, intercept, ambush, way-lay”), from forestalle (“a forestalling, interception”), from Old English foresteall (“intervention, hindrance of justice, ambush”), from fore- (“ahead of, before”) + st
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with forestall
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of forestall.
Questions about saying forestall
How do you pronounce forestall?
Say for-STAWL. The American pronunciation is /fɔrˈstɔl/. In British English it is /fɔːˈstɔːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in forestall?
Forestall has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STAWL). Broken into parts: for · STAWL.
Is forestall 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 /fɔːˈstɔːl/ (faw-STAWL).