How to pronounce gainful
Say it like GAYN-ful. Gainful has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GAYN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gainful. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GAYN
- ful
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gainful pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GAYNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- fulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of gainful
American and British speakers say gainful in essentially the same way: /ˈɡeɪnfəl/ in the US and /ˈɡeɪnfəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: GAYN-ful.
What does gainful mean?
- Contrary.
- Disposed to taking advantage of.
- Troublesome; fractious; hard to handle.
- Providing gain; profitable.“How can we find gainful employment with dignity for the uneducated?”
Where does gainful come from?
From gain (“against, contrary”) + -ful.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with gainful
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of gainful.
Questions about saying gainful
How do you pronounce gainful?
Say GAYN-ful. The American pronunciation is /ˈɡeɪnfəl/. In British English it is /ˈɡeɪnfəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gainful?
Gainful has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GAYN). Broken into parts: GAYN · ful.
Do Americans and Brits say gainful the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɡeɪnfəl/ and the British form is /ˈɡeɪnfəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.