How to pronounce retail
Say it like REE-tayl. Retail has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce retail. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- REE
- tayl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Retail pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- REESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- taylGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of retail
American and British speakers say retail in essentially the same way: /ˈriˌteɪl/ in the US and /ˈriːˌteɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: REE-tayl.
What does retail mean?
- the selling of goods to consumers; usually in small quantities and not for resale
- be sold at the retail level“These gems retail at thousands of dollars each”
- sell on the retail market
- at a retail price“I'll sell it to you retail only”
Where does retail come from?
From the Old French verb retaillier.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with retail
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of retail.
Questions about saying retail
How do you pronounce retail?
Say REE-tayl. The American pronunciation is /ˈriˌteɪl/. In British English it is /ˈriːˌteɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in retail?
Retail has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REE). Broken into parts: REE · tayl.
Do Americans and Brits say retail the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈriˌteɪl/ and the British form is /ˈriːˌteɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.