How to Pronounce Nest

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

nest

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

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1

Syllable

4

Letters

/nɛst/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “nest”

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

Sounds exactly like: neste — easy to mix up when writing.

What does nest mean?

noun

  1. A structure built by a bird as a place to incubate eggs and rear young.
  2. A place used by another mammal, fish, amphibian or insect, for depositing eggs and hatching young.

verb

  1. (of animals) To build or settle into a nest.
  2. To settle into a home.

    “We loved the new house and were nesting there in two days!”

Hear “nest” 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 nest

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

manifestcrestdetestdistressedjestimpressedacquiescedrestchestarrestbequestrequest

Related words

roostnestlingheneyriecrowbirdcoopbrood

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "nest"?▾

"Nest" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "nest"?▾

The IPA transcription of "nest" is /nɛst/.

What does "nest" mean?▾

Nest: A structure built by a bird as a place to incubate eggs and rear young.

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