2 syllables: fe, line. Stress on fe.
FEE-leyen
/ˈfiˌlaɪn/
feline is pronounced FEE-leyen (/ˈfiˌlaɪn/). It has two syllables (fe-line), with the stress on "fe". Feline is an adjective describing cats and cat-like characteristics, or a noun referring to a member of the cat family. It is commonly used in reference to physical traits (agility, grace) or behavior associated with cats, and in medical or scientific contexts when describing felid anatomy or taxonomy. The term can also appear in more formal or literary registers to evoke catlike elegance or stealth.
Feline is an adjective describing cats and cat-like characteristics, or a noun referring to a member of the cat family. It is commonly used in reference to physical traits (agility, grace) or behavior associated with cats, and in medical or scientific contexts when describing felid anatomy or taxonomy. The term can also appear in more formal or literary registers to evoke catlike elegance or stealth.
"Her feline grace allowed her to navigate the narrow balcony with surprising ease."
"The veterinarian explained the feline anatomy relevant to the moving joints."
"The detective noted a feline nod to stealth in the suspect's mannerisms."
Pronounce it as /ˈfiː.laɪn/ in US, UK, and AU accents. The primary stress falls on the first syllable, 'FEE', followed by a long 'ee' vowel in the first syllable and a diphthong in the second: 'lien' sounds like 'line.' Start with a clear 'f' and keep the lips lightly spread; the second syllable has a long 'i' before the 'n'. For a natural feel, end with a crisp 'n' without extra nasalization. IPA reference: US/UK/AU /ˈfiː.laɪn/.
Common slips include pronouncing it as two equal syllables with a short first vowel (e.g., 'fi-lin') or flattening the second syllable into a pure /i/ without the diphthong quality. Another error is pronouncing the second syllable as 'line' with a pure /aɪ/ that doesn't reflect the natural intonation after /ˈfiː/. Correction: keep the first syllable as /ˈfiː/ with a long 'ee' and let the second syllable glide into /laɪn/, ensuring the final /ɪ/ or /aɪ/ transition is smooth and not clipped. IPA: /ˈfiː.laɪn/.
Across US/UK/AU, the pronunciation remains /ˈfiː.laɪn/ with the same vowel qualities, but rhotics and vowel length can subtly shift. The US tends to produce a slightly stronger rhotic resonance on the first syllable, though not always; UK and AU typically have non-rhotic or reduced rhotic intonation in connected speech. The main difference is in surrounding vowels and connected speech patterns rather than the core phonemes. IPA guidance remains /ˈfiː.laɪn/ across regions.
The challenge lies in the two-syllable structure with a longer first vowel and the rapid glide into /laɪn/. The diphthong in the second syllable can be unfamiliar for speakers who don’t routinely use /laɪ/ as a rising diphthong. Additionally, keeping stress on the first syllable while maintaining a clean /ˈfiː/ and avoiding an overemphasized /ɪ/ at the end requires precise tongue positioning: lips should be slightly spread for /f/ and /iː/, then relax into a smooth /laɪn/ without vowel shortening.
Yes. The stress falls on the first syllable, 'FEE', giving /ˈfiː.laɪn/. The second syllable features a rising glide from /iː/ into /laɪn/, creating a natural syllabic transition. The predictable pattern is strong first-syllable stress with a long front vowel, followed by a diphthong in the second syllable; avoid splitting the diphthong into two distinct vocalizations. IPA: /ˈfiː.laɪn/.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "feline"!
Feline comes from Latin felis, meaning cat, via the Late Latin felinus and the French félin. The root felis traces to Proto-Indo-European *pel-/*pel-, associated with tearing or biting, reflecting predatory cat behavior. The word entered English via French feline and Latinized forms in the 17th–18th centuries as scientific and literary terms to describe cat-like attributes. Over time, usage broadened from strictly zoological references to broader metaphorical applications (grace, stealth, agility) in both prose and medical contexts. The shift from concrete animal reference to abstract adjectives (catlike traits) mirrors the Renaissance and Enlightenment emphasis on taxonomy and natural philosophy, with felinous forms appearing in medical descriptors of felids and later in humanities to evoke aesthetic parallels with feline form and motion. First known English usages appear in natural history and literary texts in the 1600s–1700s, aligning with a period of intensified interest in animal morphology and symbolic representation of animal traits in humans.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "feline" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "feline" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "feline" 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 "feline"
-ign sounds
-ine 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.
