2 syllables: de, lays. Stress on de.
/ˈdiːleɪz/
Say it backDelays is the plural of delay, referring to periods of postponement or slowdowns. In everyday use, it often describes postponed schedules, late arrivals, or lag in processes. The term can function as a noun or a verb form (he delays), though the noun meaning is most common in planning and logistics contexts.
"The flight was delayed by two hours due to weather conditions."
"Construction delays pushed the project deadline back a month."
"The reporter noted several delays in receiving official statements."
Pronounce delays as /dɪˈleɪz/. The stress is on the second syllable: de-LAYS. Start with a short, lax d, then a mid front vowel /ɪ/, followed by a clear /ˈleɪ/ with the diphthong /eɪ/ as in 'lay,' and end with the voiced z sound /z/. Tip: blend the d into the /ɪ/ quickly, then glide into /ˈleɪ/ and finish with a crisp /z/. Audio reference: You can compare with standard dictionaries or pronunciation tools by listening to 'delay' in its plural form.
Common errors include tensing the final consonant and misplacing primary stress. One wrong path is pronouncing as /dɪˈleɪz/ with unclear vowel length, or saying /ˈdɛl.eɪz/ by mixing up the initial vowel quality. Another frequent slip is conflating with 'delays' pronounced as /dɪˈleɪs/ (voiceless end). Correction: keep the final sound as a voiced /z/, ensure the second syllable carries the primary stress /ˈleɪ/, and avoid over-shortening the /eɪ/ diphthong. Use a quick, relaxed jaw for the /ɪ/ then a stable /ˈleɪ/ sequence.
In US, the /ɪ/ is lax, and the /eɪ/ diphthong stays stable; the /z/ is clearly voiced. UK English mirrors /dɪˈleɪz/ but may exhibit a slightly shorter /ɪ/ and a more precise feeder into /eɪ/. In Australian English, vowel qualities can be slightly broader; the /ɪ/ may be marginally closer to /iː/ for some speakers, and /eɪ/ can sound more centralized. Overall the rhymes remain the same, but subtle shifts in vowel height and duration create a more rhotic or non-rhotic nuance depending on the speaker.
The difficulty lies in the diphthong /eɪ/ transition and the final voiced /z/. You need a smooth glide from /ɪ/ into /eɪ/ without breaking into a separate syllable and keeping the /z/ clear and voiced. Some learners overcorrect and produce /dɪˈleɪs/ with a voiceless end, or mispronounce as /ˈdɛl.eɪz/ due to vowel confusion leaving you with a tense start. Focus on a relaxed initial /d/, then the fluid /ɪ/ to /eɪ/ glide, ending with a crisp, vibrating /z/..
No. The plural form 'delays' maintains the same primary stress on the second syllable /ˈleɪ/. The s at the end is voiced /z/, so the ending remains an audible z sound rather than a separate added syllable. The transition from the first to second syllable is what defines the rhythm. You’ll keep de- as a lighter onset and LAYS as the louder nucleus; the final /z/ closes the word.
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The noun delays derives from the verb delay, which comes from the Old French delayer, from des- (a prefix indicating removal or reversal) + lagier (to lie, to be slow), ultimately related to Latin tarda, meaning late. The English form delay entered Middle English via Old French at a time when trade, travel, and military campaigns depended on predictable schedules, making timely movement important. Over centuries, delays broadened from literal postponement to include slower processes and impediments in areas such as logistics, communications, and bureaucracy. The noun plural delays emerged in the late 16th to 17th century as English speakers used the plural to refer to multiple instances or types of postponement. Today, delays retains the sense of impediment to progress, whether caused by external factors (weather, traffic) or intentional postponement (administrative delays). The word is well-established in both everyday speech and technical jargon, with collocations like capacity delays, flight delays, and administrative delays common across formal and informal registers.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "delays" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "delays" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "delays"
-ays sounds
-aze sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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