How to pronounce surveil
Say it like ser-VAYL. Surveil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VAYL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce surveil. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ser
- VAYL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Surveil pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- serKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- VAYLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of surveil
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: suh-VAYL.
What does surveil mean?
- To keep someone or something under surveillance.“The plaintiff also stresses that the store as a whole, and the customer exits especially, were closely surveilled.”
Where does surveil come from?
Back-formation from surveillance (but cf.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with surveil
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of surveil.
Questions about saying surveil
How do you pronounce surveil?
Say ser-VAYL. The American pronunciation is /sɚˈveɪl/. In British English it is /səˈveɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in surveil?
Surveil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VAYL). Broken into parts: ser · VAYL.
Is surveil 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 /səˈveɪl/ (suh-VAYL).