How to pronounce veil
Say it like VAYL. Veil is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- VAYL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Veil pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- VAYLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of veil
American and British speakers say veil in essentially the same way: /veɪl/ in the US and /veɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: VAYL.
What does veil mean?
- Something hung up or spread out to hide or protect the face, or hide an object from view; usually of gauze, crepe, or similar diaphanous material.
- Anything that partially obscures a clear view.
- A cover; disguise; a mask; a pretense.
- To dress in, or decorate with, a veil.
- To conceal as with a veil.“The forest fire was veiled by smoke, but I could hear it clearly.”
Where does veil come from?
From Middle English veil, veyl, from Anglo-Norman and Old Northern French veil (“sail, veil, shroud”) (Francien Old French voil, French voile), Latin vēlum (“cloth, covering”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- head covering
- velum
- caul
- embryonic membrane
- humeral veil
- obscure
- blot out
- obliterate
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with veil
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of veil.
Words that sound like veil
Questions about saying veil
How do you pronounce veil?
Say VAYL. The American pronunciation is /veɪl/. In British English it is /veɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in veil?
Veil is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: VAYL.
Do Americans and Brits say veil the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /veɪl/ and the British form is /veɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as veil?
Veil sounds the same as vail, vale, valle in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.