How to pronounce mainstay
Say it like MAYNS-tay. Mainstay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAYNS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce mainstay. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MAYNS
- tay
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mainstay pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MAYNSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- tayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of mainstay
American and British speakers say mainstay in essentially the same way: /ˈmeɪnsˌteɪ/ in the US and /ˈmeɪnsˌteɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: MAYNS-tay.
What does mainstay mean?
- A chief support.“Agriculture is the mainstay of this country’s economy.”
- Someone or something that can be depended on to make a regular contribution.
- A stabilizing rope from high on the mainmast to the base of the foremast.
Where does mainstay come from?
From Middle English main stai, equivalent to main + stay (“rope”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying mainstay
How do you pronounce mainstay?
Say MAYNS-tay. The American pronunciation is /ˈmeɪnsˌteɪ/. In British English it is /ˈmeɪnsˌteɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mainstay?
Mainstay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAYNS). Broken into parts: MAYNS · tay.
Do Americans and Brits say mainstay the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmeɪnsˌteɪ/ and the British form is /ˈmeɪnsˌteɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.