How to pronounce knavish
Say it like NAY-vish. Knavish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce knavish. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NAY
- vish
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Knavish pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- vishKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of knavish
American and British speakers say knavish in essentially the same way: /ˈneɪvɪʃ/ in the US and /ˈneɪvɪʃ/ in the UK.
British respelling: NAY-vish.
What does knavish mean?
- Having the characteristics of a knave; mischievous, roguish, waggish, rascally or impertinent.
Where does knavish come from?
From Middle English knavych, knavyssh; equivalent to knave + -ish.
Words that rhyme with knavish
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of knavish.
Questions about saying knavish
How do you pronounce knavish?
Say NAY-vish. The American pronunciation is /ˈneɪvɪʃ/. In British English it is /ˈneɪvɪʃ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in knavish?
Knavish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NAY). Broken into parts: NAY · vish.
Do Americans and Brits say knavish the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈneɪvɪʃ/ and the British form is /ˈneɪvɪʃ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.