Learn How to Pronounce smile

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smile

Definition:

(nou) a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

Phonetic Transcription:

smaɪl

Examples:

A man should be sitting in the chair and smile of unspeakable happiness.

A woman should lie and smile.

Have an idea for a smile or a scowl

Learn more about:
smile

Related Words:

happy

laugh

How to perfect your pronunciation of: smile

Learn Individual Sounds

Break smile down into individual sounds such as smaɪl. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

Copy Others

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Pick an Accent

Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

Record Yourself

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Common mistakes of smile pronunciation

Dropping the "s": Some learners pronounce "smile" without the initial "s" sound, leading to "mile" [maɪl]. Tip: Always emphasize the "s" sound at the beginning, as in [smaɪl].
Misplacing the stress: A common mistake is stressing the second syllable, saying "smile" as "smi-LE." In IPA, this would be incorrect. Tip: Remember that "smile" has primary stress on the first syllable [ˈsmaɪl].
Overemphasizing the vowel: Some may pronounce "smile" with an exaggerated vowel sound, resulting in "sma-ile." This can confuse listeners. Tip: Keep the vowel sound smooth and natural, as in [smaɪl].
Incorrect ending sound: A frequent error is pronouncing "smile" with a hard "t" at the end, sounding like "smilt." This changes the word entirely. Tip: Ensure the final sound is a soft "l" [l], not a "t."
Confusing with similar words: Learners sometimes mix "smile" with "smile" [ˈsmaɪl] and "smile" [smɪl]. This can lead to misunderstandings. Tip: Focus on the correct vowel sound, distinguishing between the two variations.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "smile" in American English?

In American English, "smile" is pronounced as /smaɪl/ with the stress on the single syllable. The "s" sounds like "s," the "m" is pronounced as "m," and the "ile" has the long "i" sound followed by "l."

Is there a difference in the pronunciation of "smile" between British and American English?

No significant difference exists in the pronunciation of "smile" between British and American English; both pronounce it as /smaɪl/. The stress remains on the single syllable in both variants.

What is the syllable count in the word "smile"?

The word "smile" has only one syllable, pronounced as /smaɪl/. This makes it a monosyllabic word, which is common in English.

Are there any common mistakes people make when pronouncing "smile"?

One common mistake is misplacing the stress or not elongating the "i" sound, resulting in a pronunciation that sounds like /smɪl/. Remember to emphasize the "i" as a diphthong /aɪ/ for clarity.