How to pronounce quay
Say it like KEE. Quay is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- KEE
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: Sounds exactly like key.
Quay pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of quay
American and British speakers say quay in essentially the same way: /ki/ in the US and /kiː/ in the UK.
British respelling: KEE.
Other ways to say quay
Quay also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- KAY /keɪ/
What does quay mean?
- A stone or concrete structure on navigable water used for loading and unloading vessels; a wharf.“moor up in the quay”
- To land or tie up at a quay or similar structure, especially used in the phrase "quay up".
- Alternative spelling of qway (“far”).
Where does quay come from?
The current spelling replaced the spelling key in the 1690s to emulate the spelling but (at least originally) not the pronunciation of the equivalent modern French quai.
Words that rhyme with quay
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of quay.
Words that sound like quay
Questions about saying quay
How do you pronounce quay?
Say KEE. The American pronunciation is /ki/. In British English it is /kiː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in quay?
Quay is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: KEE.
Do Americans and Brits say quay the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ki/ and the British form is /kiː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as quay?
Quay sounds the same as kea, kee, key, ki, qi in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.