How to pronounce purloin
Say it like per-LOYN. Purloin has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LOYN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce purloin. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- per
- LOYN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Purloin pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- perKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- LOYNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oy" in boy.
American vs British pronunciation of purloin
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: pur-LOYN.
What does purloin mean?
- To take the property of another, often in breach of trust; to appropriate wrongfully; to steal.
- To commit theft; to thieve.
Where does purloin come from?
From Middle English purloynen (“to remove”), borrowed from Anglo-Norman purloigner (“to put far away”), one of the variants of Old French porloignier.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with purloin
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of purloin.
Questions about saying purloin
How do you pronounce purloin?
Say per-LOYN. The American pronunciation is /pɚˈlɔɪn/. In British English it is /pɜːˈlɔɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in purloin?
Purloin has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LOYN). Broken into parts: per · LOYN.
Is purloin pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /pɜːˈlɔɪn/ (pur-LOYN).