How to pronounce foretell
Say it like for-TEL. Foretell has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce foretell. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- for
- TEL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Foretell 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.
- TELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of foretell
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: faw-TEL.
What does foretell mean?
- To predict; to tell (the future) before it occurs; to prophesy.
- To tell (a person) of the future.
Where does foretell come from?
First use appears before 1400, from Middle English foretellen, equivalent to fore- + tell.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with foretell
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of foretell.
Questions about saying foretell
How do you pronounce foretell?
Say for-TEL. The American pronunciation is /fɔrˈtɛl/. In British English it is /fɔːˈtɛl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in foretell?
Foretell has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEL). Broken into parts: for · TEL.
Is foretell 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 /fɔːˈtɛl/ (faw-TEL).