How to pronounce nylon
Say it like NY-lon. Nylon has two 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 nylon. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NY
- lon
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nylon 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.
- lonGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of nylon
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: NY-lon.
What does nylon mean?
- Originally, the DuPont company trade name for polyamide, a copolymer whose molecules consist of alternating diamine and dicarboxylic acid monomers bonded together; now generically used for this type of polymer.
- A stocking originally fabricated from nylon; also used generically for any long, sheer stocking worn on a woman's legs.“I tore a hole in my nylons while walking home through the woods.”
- A Queen's Counsel, King's Counsel or Senior Counsel who was appointed as a courtesy, rather than on merit.
Where does nylon come from?
Coined by the company DuPont in 1938.
Words that rhyme with nylon
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of nylon.
Questions about saying nylon
How do you pronounce nylon?
Say NY-lon. The American pronunciation is /ˈnaɪˌlɑn/. In British English it is /ˈnaɪˌlɒn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nylon?
Nylon has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NY). Broken into parts: NY · lon.
Is nylon pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈnaɪˌlɒn/ (NY-lon).