How to pronounce thumbnail
Say it like THUHM-nayl. Thumbnail has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (THUHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce thumbnail. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- THUHM
- nayl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Thumbnail pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- THUHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- naylGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of thumbnail
American and British speakers say thumbnail in essentially the same way: /ˈθʌmˌneɪl/ in the US and /ˈθʌmˌneɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: THUHM-nayl.
What does thumbnail mean?
- The fingernail on the thumb.
- A rough sketch (e.g., the size of one's thumbnail).
- A small picture, used as a compact representation of a larger image.
- To describe concisely.
- To create a smaller representation of (a larger image).
Where does thumbnail come from?
The phrase thumbnail sketch was first attested 1852.
Questions about saying thumbnail
How do you pronounce thumbnail?
Say THUHM-nayl. The American pronunciation is /ˈθʌmˌneɪl/. In British English it is /ˈθʌmˌneɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in thumbnail?
Thumbnail has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (THUHM). Broken into parts: THUHM · nayl.
Do Americans and Brits say thumbnail the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈθʌmˌneɪl/ and the British form is /ˈθʌmˌneɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.