2 syllables: Chil, blains. Stress on Chil.
CHIL-blaynz
/ˈtʃɪlˌbleɪnz/
Chilblains is pronounced CHIL-blaynz (/ˈtʃɪlˌbleɪnz/). It has two syllables (Chil-blains), with the stress on "Chil". Chilblains are small, itchy, red or bluish inflamed patches on the skin, typically caused by repeated exposure to cold and damp conditions. They usually appear on the fingers, toes, ears, or nose and can be painful and tender. Treatment focuses on warming the affected area and preventing further cold exposure.
nounChilblains are small, itchy, red or bluish inflamed patches on the skin, typically caused by repeated exposure to cold and damp conditions. They usually appear on the fingers, toes, ears, or nose and can be painful and tender. Treatment focuses on warming the affected area and preventing further cold exposure.
"After walking in the freezing rain, she developed chilblains on her toes and fingers."
"The doctor recommended keeping her hands warm to prevent chilblains from flaring up."
"Chilblains can be uncomfortable, especially at night when the warmth returns and the skin stings."
Pronounce as CHIL-blains with the first syllable stressed. IPA: US/UK/AU: /ˈtʃɪlˌbleɪnz/. The first syllable uses /tʃ/ (as in cheese), a short 'i' as in 'kit', and the 'l' is light. The second syllable uses /bleɪnz/ where /bl/ starts the cluster, /eɪ/ is a long vowel as in 'day', and the final /nz/ is a voiced alveolar nasal plus voiced alveolar fricative. Keep the second syllable secondary-stressed and the final 'z' voiced. Audio references include major dictionary and pronunciation databases.
Two common errors: misplacing the stress (saying 'chilBLains' with stress on the second syllable) and mispronouncing the vowel in 'blains' as /blæns/ or /bleɪnz/. Correct by aligning to /ˈtʃɪlˌbleɪnz/ with clear /tʃ/ onset, light /l/ after /ɪ/, and /bleɪnz/ as 'blaynz' (not 'blins' or 'blains' with a lax vowel). Practice by isolating the second syllable: 'bleɪnz' = 'blaynz' with a long a. Listen to native speakers and record yourself.
US, UK, and AU share the same /ˈtʃɪlˌbleɪnz/ core, but rhoticity affects surrounding prosody. In most US accents, /r/ is not involved here, but rhythm and vowel length can vary slightly; UK and AU may exhibit a crisper /tʃ/ and a tighter /ɪ/ and /eɪ/ diphthong. The main difference lies in vowel quality and intonation rather than phoneme replacement. Listen for slight vowel shortening in rapid speech in US varieties.
The difficulty lies in the two-syllable structure with an initial consonant cluster /tʃl/ and a long /eɪ/ diphthong in 'blains.' English uses a tricky onset in 'chil-' with a cluster that can blur in rapid speech. Additionally, the final /nz/ requires voicing, which some learners skip. Focus on articulating the /tʃ/ and the /bl/ cluster distinctly, then glide into /eɪnz/.
There are no silent letters in chilblains, but the stress pattern is CHIL-blains, with primary stress on the first syllable and secondary on the second. The 'l' is light but clearly pronounced, and the 'ai' in 'blains' forms a long /eɪ/ diphthong rather than the shorter /aɪ/ you might expect from 'lain.' Emphasize the two-syllable rhythm and steady /ˈtʃɪlˌbleɪnz/ to avoid 'chil-BLENS' or 'CHIL-blains' misplacements.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Chilblains"!
US: non-rhotic? No, US is rhotic, but 'chilblains' has no /r/; focus on the two syllables with clear /tʃ/ onset and /bleɪnz/ diphthong. UK: crisp /tʃ/; slightly sharper vowels; AU: similar to UK, often with a flatter /ɪ/ and a broader /eɪ/. IPA references: /ˈtʃɪlˌbleɪnz/. Vowel quality: US tends toward a short /ɪ/; UK/AU can be marginally longer and tenser in /ɪ/. Consonants: ensure /tʃ/ is released clearly, /l/ light touch, /b/ is unaspirated initial in the second syllable, /n/ and /z/ are voiced.
Chilblain comes from the combination of 'chill' and 'blain' (an old Scottish term for a skin disease or a swelling). The word entered English in the 16th or 17th century, reflecting its association with cold exposure. Historically, chilblains referred to inflammation of small blood vessels in the skin caused by repeated exposure to damp, cold environments, long before the exact mechanisms were understood. The condition has been described in medical texts for centuries, often contrasted with frostbite. Over time, the term broadened to cover inflammatory, itchy patches on acral areas, typically without tissue freezing. Modern usage distinguishes chilblains from more severe cold injuries and from non-inflammatory cold-induced skin issues. First known written uses appear in early medical compilations and travelogues noting winter ailments, with the term gradually stabilizing into the common noun it is today.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Chilblains" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Chilblains" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Chilblains" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Chilblains"
-ain sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
