How to Pronounce Pays

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

pays

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

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Syllable

Letters

/peɪz/

IPA

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

Sounds exactly like: pais, paiz — easy to mix up when writing.

noun

Money given in return for work; salary or wages.
“Many employers have rules designed to keep employees from comparing their pays.”

verb

To give money or other compensation to in exchange for goods or services.
“he paid her off the books and in kind where possible”
To discharge, as a debt or other obligation, by giving or doing what is due or required.
“he has paid his debt to society”

verb

To cover (the bottom of a vessel, a seam, a spar, etc.) with tar or pitch, or a waterproof composition of tallow, resin, etc.; to smear.

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

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

How many syllables are in "pays"?▾

"Pays" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "pays"?▾

The IPA transcription of "pays" is /peɪz/.

What does "pays" mean?▾

Pays: Money given in return for work; salary or wages.

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