How to pronounce popinjay
Say it like PAH-pun-jay. Popinjay has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce popinjay. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAH
- pun
- jay
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Popinjay pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- punKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- jayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of popinjay
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: POP-in-jay.
What does popinjay mean?
- A parrot.
- A vain, gaudy person; someone who is shallow or superficial.
- A target to shoot at, typically stuffed with feathers or plumage.
Where does popinjay come from?
From Middle English popinjay, popyngeay, popingay, popejay, from Anglo-Norman papegai, papejoie et al., (northern) Old French papejai (“parrot”), probably from Old Occitan papagay (compare Occitan papagai, Catalan papagai), ultimately from
Questions about saying popinjay
How do you pronounce popinjay?
Say PAH-pun-jay. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɑpənˌdʒeɪ/. In British English it is /ˈpɒpɪndʒeɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in popinjay?
Popinjay has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAH). Broken into parts: PAH · pun · jay.
Is popinjay 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 /ˈpɒpɪndʒeɪ/ (POP-in-jay).