How to Pronounce Nails

To pronounce "nails", say NAILS — one syllable, IPA /neɪlz/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

nails

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Accent

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Speed

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1

Syllable

5

Letters

/neɪlz/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “nails”

"nails" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with entails and travails, if that helps it stick.

What does nails mean?

noun

  1. The thin, horny plate at the ends of fingers and toes on humans and some other animals.

    “When I'm nervous I bite my nails.”

  2. The basal thickened portion of the anterior wings of certain hemiptera.

verb

  1. To fix (an object) to another object using a nail.

    “He nailed the placard to the post.”

  2. To drive a nail.

    “He used the ax head for nailing.”

Synonyms

acefulfillfullbringarrestcollarnickclinchfix

Hear “nails” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with nails

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

entailstravailsdetailsgaleswailstailstalestrailssailsbalesprevailsassails

Related words

copblastcollarpegboomsmashpassnab

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "nails"?▾

"Nails" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "nails"?▾

The IPA transcription of "nails" is /neɪlz/.

What does "nails" mean?▾

Nails: The thin, horny plate at the ends of fingers and toes on humans and some other animals.

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