How To Pronounce Refrain

refrain

Phonemic

/rɪˈfreɪn/

Phonetic

[rɪˈfr̥e͠ɪn]

Phonemic

/rɪˈfreɪn/

In British English, refrain is pronounced /rɪˈfreɪn/. The narrow phonetic transcription is [rɪˈfr̥e͠ɪn]. In American English, it is pronounced /rɪˈfreɪn/.

Refrain has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second syllable. British and American speakers say it the same way.

Slashes / / show the phonemic transcription, the sounds that change meaning. Square brackets [ ] show the phonetic transcription, with the finer detail of how the sounds are actually made.

Syllables, Stress And Endings

Syllables And Stress

rɪfreɪn

Refrain has two syllables in British English, and the main stress is on the second syllable, shown in colour above. Its stress pattern is oO, where O is the stressed syllable.

refrain + -s

-s (plural, possessive or singular verb) is /z/ after a voiced consonant or a vowel sound.

/rɪˈfreɪnz/

refrain + -ed

-ed (past tense or past participle) is /d/ after a voiced consonant or a vowel sound.

/rɪˈfreɪnd/

refrain + -ing

-ing is always /ɪŋ/.

/rɪˈfreɪ.nɪŋ/

Words That Rhyme With Refrain

Questions About Refrain

How do you pronounce refrain in British English?

In British English, refrain is pronounced /rɪˈfreɪn/. The narrow phonetic transcription is [rɪˈfr̥e͠ɪn].

How do you pronounce refrain in American English?

In American English, refrain is pronounced /rɪˈfreɪn/.

How many syllables are in refrain?

Refrain has two syllables, /rɪ/ + /freɪn/.

Where is the stress in refrain?

The main stress is on the second syllable, /freɪn/.

Do British and American English pronounce refrain the same way?

Yes. Both are /rɪˈfreɪn/.

Search All 10,380 Words In The App

Other Words With The Stress Pattern oO

Nearby Words

Learn English and Literature with Adroit Tutors on our website, and order course materials there too.