How to Pronounce Derail

To pronounce "derail", say DER-ail — 2 syllables, IPA /dəˈɹeɪl/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

derail

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying derail, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

2

Syllables

6

Letters

/dəˈɹeɪl/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “derail”

"derail" has 2 syllables: der-ail. It rhymes with wail and gale, if that helps it stick.

What does derail mean?

noun

  1. A device placed on railway tracks causing a train to derail.

    “The derail was placed deliberately so that the train would fall into the river.”

  2. An instance of diverting a conversation or debate from its original topic.

verb

  1. To cause to come off the tracks.

    “The train was destroyed when it was derailed by the penny.”

  2. To come off the tracks.

Synonyms

unrail

Words that rhyme with derail

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

wailgaleavailfrailassailtravailprevailentailstaleunveilailbale

Related words

jumpscupperveerhamperscuttleblockbudgebackfire

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "derail"?▾

"Derail" has 2 syllables: der · ail.

What is the IPA transcription of "derail"?▾

The IPA transcription of "derail" is /dəˈɹeɪl/.

What does "derail" mean?▾

Derail: A device placed on railway tracks causing a train to derail.

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “derail” in the full dictionary →