How to pronounce nightingale
Say it like NY-ting-gayl. Nightingale has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce nightingale. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NY
- ting
- gayl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nightingale pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- tingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- gaylKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of nightingale
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: NY-ting-gayl.
What does nightingale mean?
- A Eurasian and African songbird, Luscinia megarhynchos, family Muscicapidae, famed for its beautiful singing at night; a common nightingale.
- A kind of flannel scarf with sleeves, formerly worn by invalids when sitting up in bed.
Where does nightingale come from?
Inherited from Middle English nyghtyngale, nightingale, niȝtingale, alteration (with intrusive n) of nyghtgale, nightegale, from Old English nihtegala, nihtegale (“nightingale; night-raven”, literally “night-singer”), from Proto-West German
Questions about saying nightingale
How do you pronounce nightingale?
Say NY-ting-gayl. The American pronunciation is /ˈnaɪtɪŋɡeɪl/. In British English it is /ˈnaɪtɪŋɡeɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nightingale?
Nightingale has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NY). Broken into parts: NY · ting · gayl.
Is nightingale 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 /ˈnaɪtɪŋɡeɪl/ (NY-ting-gayl).