How to pronounce prevail
Say it like prih-VAYL. Prevail has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VAYL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce prevail. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- prih
- VAYL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prevail pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- prihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- VAYLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of prevail
American and British speakers say prevail in essentially the same way: /prɪˈveɪl/ in the US and /prɪˈveɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: prih-VAYL.
What does prevail mean?
- be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance“Money reigns supreme here”“Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood”
- be valid, applicable, or true“This theory still holds”
- continue to exist“These stories die hard”“The legend of Elvis endures”
Where does prevail come from?
From Middle English prevailen, from Old French prevaler, from Latin praevaleō (“be very able or more able, be superior, prevail”), from prae (“before”) + valeō (“be able or powerful”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with prevail
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of prevail.
Questions about saying prevail
How do you pronounce prevail?
Say prih-VAYL. The American pronunciation is /prɪˈveɪl/. In British English it is /prɪˈveɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prevail?
Prevail has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VAYL). Broken into parts: prih · VAYL.
Do Americans and Brits say prevail the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /prɪˈveɪl/ and the British form is /prɪˈveɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.