How to pronounce windlass
Say it like WIND-lus. Windlass has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WIND).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce windlass. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WIND
- lus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Windlass pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WINDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- lusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of windlass
American and British speakers say windlass in essentially the same way: /ˈwɪndləs/ in the US and /ˈwɪndləs/ in the UK.
British respelling: WIND-lus.
What does windlass mean?
- Any of various forms of winch, in which a rope or cable is wound around a cylinder, used for lifting heavy weights
- A winding and circuitous way; a roundabout course.
- An apparatus resembling a winch or windlass, for bending the bow of an arblast, or crossbow.
- To raise with, or as if with, a windlass; to use a windlass.
- To take a roundabout course; to work warily or by indirect means.
Where does windlass come from?
From Middle English wyndlas, wyndelas, wyndlasse, wyndelasse, probably an alteration (due to Middle English windel) of Middle English windas, wyndas, wyndace, from Anglo-Norman windase, windeis and Old Northern French windas (compare Old Fr
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying windlass
How do you pronounce windlass?
Say WIND-lus. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɪndləs/. In British English it is /ˈwɪndləs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in windlass?
Windlass has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WIND). Broken into parts: WIND · lus.
Do Americans and Brits say windlass the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈwɪndləs/ and the British form is /ˈwɪndləs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.