How to pronounce gaol
Say it like JAYL. Gaol is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gaol. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- JAYL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gaol pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- JAYLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of gaol
American and British speakers say gaol in essentially the same way: /dʒeɪl/ in the US and /dʒeɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: JAYL.
What does gaol mean?
- Dated spelling of jail.
- Dated spelling of jail.
Where does gaol come from?
From Middle English gayole, gaiol, gaylle, gaille, gayle, gaile, via Old French gaiole, gayolle, gaole, from Medieval Latin gabiola, for Late Latin caveola, a diminutive of Latin cavea (“cavity, coop, cage”).
Words that rhyme with gaol
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of gaol.
Words that sound like gaol
Questions about saying gaol
How do you pronounce gaol?
Say JAYL. The American pronunciation is /dʒeɪl/. In British English it is /dʒeɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gaol?
Gaol is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: JAYL.
Do Americans and Brits say gaol the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dʒeɪl/ and the British form is /dʒeɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as gaol?
Gaol sounds the same as jail in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.