How to pronounce gainsay
Say it like GAYN-say. Gainsay 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 gainsay. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GAYN
- say
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gainsay 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.
- sayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of gainsay
American and British speakers say gainsay in essentially the same way: /ˈɡeɪnˌseɪ/ in the US and /ˈɡeɪnˌseɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: GAYN-say.
What does gainsay mean?
- To say something in contradiction to.
Where does gainsay come from?
From Middle English gainsayen, ȝeinseggen (“to say against, say in opposition to”), equivalent to gain- + say.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying gainsay
How do you pronounce gainsay?
Say GAYN-say. The American pronunciation is /ˈɡeɪnˌseɪ/. In British English it is /ˈɡeɪnˌseɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gainsay?
Gainsay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GAYN). Broken into parts: GAYN · say.
Do Americans and Brits say gainsay the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɡeɪnˌseɪ/ and the British form is /ˈɡeɪnˌseɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.