Learn How to Pronounce wail

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wail

Definition:

(nou) a cry of sorrow and grief

Phonetic Transcription:

weɪl

Examples:

The cry and wail of the devotee is covered with loud trumpeting.

The monster's cry was like a screeching wail of horror.

As hundreds wail, the victim's ashes immersed.

Learn more about:
wail

Related Words:

lament

How to perfect your pronunciation of: wail

Learn Individual Sounds

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

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

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Common mistakes of wail pronunciation

Misplacing vowel sounds: Some learners pronounce "wail" as /wɛl/ instead of /weɪl/. This mistake occurs because they confuse the vowel sound with that in "well". Tip: Focus on the long "a" sound, as in "day".
Ignoring the initial "w": A common error is omitting the "w" sound, saying "ail" instead of "wail". This results in a loss of clarity. Tip: Practice starting with a strong "w" sound, like in "wet".
Incorrect stress placement: Some may incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "wa-il" instead of the correct single-syllable pronunciation /weɪl/. This can confuse listeners. Tip: Remember that "wail" is a one-syllable word with no secondary stress.
Overemphasizing the "l": Learners sometimes pronounce "wail" with an exaggerated "l" sound, making it sound like "wail-l". This can distort the word's true sound. Tip: Keep the "l" soft and blend it smoothly into the vowel sound.
Mixing up similar words: It's easy to confuse "wail" with "whale" (/weɪl/), leading to miscommunication. Both words sound the same but have different meanings. Tip: Practice using them in sentences to reinforce their correct usage and pronunciation.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "wail" in American English?

In American English, "wail" is pronounced as /weɪl/ with a single syllable. The vowel sound is a long "a," similar to the word "fail."

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

There is no significant difference in the pronunciation of "wail" between British and American English; both use /weɪl/. The stress remains on the single syllable, making it sound the same in both dialects.

What does the "ai" in "wail" sound like?

The "ai" in "wail" is pronounced as a long vowel /eɪ/, similar to the sound in "mail" or "tail." This diphthong creates a smooth transition from one vowel sound to another.

Are there common mistakes when pronouncing "wail"?

A common mistake is pronouncing "wail" with a short vowel sound, which can lead to confusion with words like "will." Remember to emphasize the long "a" sound to ensure clarity.