How to pronounce waylay
Say it like WAY-lay. Waylay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce waylay. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WAY
- lay
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Waylay pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- layKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of waylay
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2.
British respelling: way-LAY.
What does waylay mean?
- To lie in wait for and attack from ambush.
- To accost or intercept unexpectedly.
Where does waylay come from?
From way + lay, likely a calque of Middle Dutch wegelagen (“besetting of ways, lying in wait with evil or hostile intent along public ways”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with waylay
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of waylay.
Questions about saying waylay
How do you pronounce waylay?
Say WAY-lay. The American pronunciation is /ˈweɪleɪ/. In British English it is /ˌweɪˈleɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in waylay?
Waylay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAY). Broken into parts: WAY · lay.
Is waylay pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2. The British form is /ˌweɪˈleɪ/ (way-LAY).