How to pronounce rattail
Say it like RAT-tayl. Rattail has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RAT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce rattail. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- RAT
- tayl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Rattail pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RATSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- taylKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of rattail
American and British speakers say rattail in essentially the same way: /ˈrætteɪl/ in the US and /ˈrætteɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: RAT-tayl.
What does rattail mean?
- Any of the large dark-colored deep-sea fish of the Macrouridae family of ray-finned fish.
- A fish, a California chimera (Hydrolagus colliei, syn. Chimaera colliei).
- A hairstyle characterized by a long lock of tail-like hair dangling from the back of the head; the dangling lock itself.
Where does rattail come from?
From rat + tail: all of the nonliteral senses come from something else's fancied resemblance to the tail of a rat.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- grenadier
Questions about saying rattail
How do you pronounce rattail?
Say RAT-tayl. The American pronunciation is /ˈrætteɪl/. In British English it is /ˈrætteɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in rattail?
Rattail has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RAT). Broken into parts: RAT · tayl.
Do Americans and Brits say rattail the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈrætteɪl/ and the British form is /ˈrætteɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.