How to pronounce scornful
Say it like SKORN-ful. Scornful has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SKORN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce scornful. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SKORN
- ful
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Scornful pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SKORNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- fulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of scornful
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SKAWN-ful.
What does scornful mean?
- Showing scorn or disrespect; contemptuous; scathing; withering.
Where does scornful come from?
Inherited from Middle English scornful; equivalent to scorn + -ful.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with scornful
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of scornful.
Questions about saying scornful
How do you pronounce scornful?
Say SKORN-ful. The American pronunciation is /ˈskɔrnfəl/. In British English it is /ˈskɔːnfəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in scornful?
Scornful has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SKORN). Broken into parts: SKORN · ful.
Is scornful pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈskɔːnfəl/ (SKAWN-ful).