How to pronounce tail
Say it like TAYL. Tail is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tail. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TAYL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tail pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TAYLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of tail
American and British speakers say tail in essentially the same way: /teɪl/ in the US and /teɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: TAYL.
What does tail mean?
- the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
- the time of the last part of something“the fag end of this crisis-ridden century”“the tail of the storm”
- any projection that resembles the tail of an animal
- go after with the intent to catch“The policeman chased the mugger down the alley”“the dog chased the rabbit”
- remove or shorten the tail of an animal
- remove the stalk of fruits or berries
Where does tail come from?
In some senses, apparently by a generalization of the usual opposition between head and tail.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with tail
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tail.
Words that sound like tail
Questions about saying tail
How do you pronounce tail?
Say TAYL. The American pronunciation is /teɪl/. In British English it is /teɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tail?
Tail is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: TAYL.
Do Americans and Brits say tail the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /teɪl/ and the British form is /teɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as tail?
Tail sounds the same as tale in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.