How to pronounce regretful
Say it like rih-GRET-ful. Regretful has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (GRET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce regretful. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- GRET
- ful
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Regretful pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- GRETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- fulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of regretful
American and British speakers say regretful in essentially the same way: /rɪˈɡrɛtfəl/ in the US and /rɪˈɡrɛtfəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-GRET-ful.
What does regretful mean?
- Full of feelings of regret, indulging in regrets.
- Sorrowful about what has been lost or done.“feel bitterly regretful”
Where does regretful come from?
From regret + -ful.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with regretful
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of regretful.
Questions about saying regretful
How do you pronounce regretful?
Say rih-GRET-ful. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈɡrɛtfəl/. In British English it is /rɪˈɡrɛtfəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in regretful?
Regretful has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (GRET). Broken into parts: rih · GRET · ful.
Do Americans and Brits say regretful the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɪˈɡrɛtfəl/ and the British form is /rɪˈɡrɛtfəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.