How to pronounce nosegay
Say it like NOHZ-gay. Nosegay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NOHZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce nosegay. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NOHZ
- gay
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nosegay pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NOHZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- gayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of nosegay
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: NOHZ-gay.
What does nosegay mean?
- A small bunch of fragrant flowers or herbs tied in a bundle, often presented as a gift; nosegays were originally intended to be put to the nose for the pleasant sensation or to mask unpleasant odors.
- An aroma, a scent.
Where does nosegay come from?
From Late Middle English nōsegai (?), from nōse (“nose”) (from Old English nosu, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *nas- (“nose”)) + gai (“a bright or gay object; an ornament”) (from Old French gai (“cheerful, gay, happy”)); equivalent to nose + gay.
Questions about saying nosegay
How do you pronounce nosegay?
Say NOHZ-gay. The American pronunciation is /ˈnoʊzˌɡeɪ/. In British English it is /ˈnəʊzɡeɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nosegay?
Nosegay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NOHZ). Broken into parts: NOHZ · gay.
Is nosegay pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈnəʊzɡeɪ/ (NOHZ-gay).