How to pronounce taint
Say it like TAYNT. Taint 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 taint. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TAYNT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Taint pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TAYNTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of taint
American and British speakers say taint in essentially the same way: /teɪnt/ in the US and /teɪnt/ in the UK.
British respelling: TAYNT.
What does taint mean?
- A contamination, decay or putrefaction, especially in food.
- A tinge, trace or touch.
- A mark of disgrace, especially on one's character; blemish.
- A thrust with a lance, which fails of its intended effect.
- An injury done to a lance in an encounter, without its being broken; also, a breaking of a lance in an encounter in a dishonorable or unscientific manner.
- To contaminate or corrupt (something) with an external agent, either physically or morally.
- To spoil (food) by contamination.
- To be infected or corrupted; to be touched by something corrupting.
Where does taint come from?
From Middle French teint, from Old French teint (past participle of teindre (“to dye, to tinge”)), from Latin tinctum (past participle of tingere); compare tint.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with taint
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of taint.
Questions about saying taint
How do you pronounce taint?
Say TAYNT. The American pronunciation is /teɪnt/. In British English it is /teɪnt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in taint?
Taint is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: TAYNT.
Do Americans and Brits say taint the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /teɪnt/ and the British form is /teɪnt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.