How to pronounce remain
Say it like rih-MAYN. Remain has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MAYN).
- rih
- MAYN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Remain 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.
- MAYNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of remain
American and British speakers say remain in essentially the same way: /rɪˈmeɪn/ in the US and /rɪˈmeɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-MAYN.
What does remain mean?
- That which is left; relic; remainder.
- That which is left of a human being after the life is gone; relics; a dead body.
- Posthumous works or productions, especially literary works.
- To stay after others or other parts have been removed or otherwise disappeared.“After three rounds of interviews, only 5 candidates remained.”
- To be left after a number or quantity has been subtracted or cut off; to be left as not included or comprised.“If you divide 20 apples between three people, each gets six and two remain.”
- To continue unchanged in place, form, or condition, or undiminished in quantity; to abide; to stay; to endure; to last.“Promise me you will always remain my good little girl.”
Where does remain come from?
Displaced native Middle English beliven, bliven (“to remain”) (from Old English belīfan (“to remain, stay”)) due to confluence with related Middle English beleven (“to leave behind”), with which it merged.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with remain
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of remain.
Questions about saying remain
How do you pronounce remain?
Say rih-MAYN. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈmeɪn/. In British English it is /rɪˈmeɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in remain?
Remain has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MAYN). Broken into parts: rih · MAYN.
Do Americans and Brits say remain the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɪˈmeɪn/ and the British form is /rɪˈmeɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.