How to pronounce hightail
Say it like HY-tayl. Hightail has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hightail. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HY
- tayl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hightail pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- taylKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of hightail
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: HY-tayl.
What does hightail mean?
- To move at full speed, especially in retreat.“He hightailed it toward town.”
Where does hightail come from?
From high + tail; refers to the behavior of fleeing animals, such as deer, that raise their tail when running away.
Questions about saying hightail
How do you pronounce hightail?
Say HY-tayl. The American pronunciation is /ˈhaɪteɪl/. In British English it is /ˈhaɪteɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hightail?
Hightail has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HY). Broken into parts: HY · tayl.
Is hightail pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈhaɪteɪl/ (HY-tayl).