2 syllables: grey, hound. Stress on grey.
GRAY-hownd
/ˈɡɹeɪˌhaʊnd/
greyhound is pronounced GRAY-hownd (/ˈɡɹeɪˌhaʊnd/). It has two syllables (grey-hound), with the stress on "grey". Greyhound refers to a fast-running domestic dog breed originally bred for coursing game, noted for its lean body, deep chest, and exceptional speed. The term also denotes a type of long-distance bus in some regions. In pronunciation, emphasis falls on the first syllable, with a clear onset of /ˈɡreɪhaʊnd/ in most dialects, and a subtle hiatus between the two morphemes in compound usage when spoken slowly.
Greyhound refers to a fast-running domestic dog breed originally bred for coursing game, noted for its lean body, deep chest, and exceptional speed. The term also denotes a type of long-distance bus in some regions. In pronunciation, emphasis falls on the first syllable, with a clear onset of /ˈɡreɪhaʊnd/ in most dialects, and a subtle hiatus between the two morphemes in compound usage when spoken slowly.
"The greyhound sprinted around the track, astonishing the crowd."
"She adopted a retired racing greyhound from a rescue group."
"We caught the greyhound bus downtown, which was on time and comfortable."
You say /ˈɡreɪhaʊnd/. The first syllable carries primary stress: 'GREY' /ˈɡreɪ/. The second syllable 'hound' begins with /h/ followed by /aʊ/ (the 'ow' diphthong), ending with /nd/. In careful speech, you can segment as GREY-HOUND, but in fluent speech you’ll blend the transition. You can listen to native examples on Forvo and YouGlish for regional variation.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (saying 'greyhound' with a weaker stress on the first syllable) and pronouncing the second syllable as /haʊnd/ with a reduced or stuck vowel. Another frequent error is mispronouncing /ɡr/ as one blended sound instead of the full onset /ɡr/ followed by /eɪ/. To correct: emphasize /ˈɡreɪ/ first, ensure the /h/ is audible before /aʊ/, and end with the clear /nd/ cluster rather than a nasalized vowel. Listening to native recordings helps lock the rhythm.
In US/UK/AU, /ˈɡreɪhaʊnd/ is consistent with the first syllable stressed. The vowel qualities of /eɪ/ and /aʊ/ are broadly similar across the three, but rhotic speakers may show slight post-vocalic r-coloring on surrounding words, and US speakers may have a slightly flatter /eɪ/ depending on dialect. Australian and some UK rhotics can vary with non-rhotic tendencies in careful speech when the following word begins with a vowel. Overall, the core sounds remain the same in all three, with minor vowel quality shifts.
The difficulty lies in the two strong vowel digraphs /eɪ/ and /aʊ/ back-to-back, which creates a two-diphthong sequence that can blur into a single, lengthened vowel if not timed carefully. Additionally, the /ɡr/ onset can be tricky if you don’t fully articulate the /r/ or blend /ɡr/ into a crisp cluster before the /eɪ/ vowel. Practicing the exact transitions and ensuring the /h/ remains audible before /aʊ/ helps maintain clarity at speed.
Why does the 'e' in 'grey' influence the following 'hound' pronunciation? The 'e' signals the /eɪ/ diphthong in the first syllable; it also keeps the 'grey' from being serialized as a closed vowel before /h/. While the spelling 'grey' is historical, the pronunciation still treats /eɪ/ as a distinct, stressed nucleus /ˈɡreɪ/. This is a common case where spelling hints at pronunciation but isn’t a direct letter-for-sound mapping in a way that alters the second syllable.
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Greyhound’s etymology traces to Middle English, combining the noun 'gray' (indicating the color) with 'hound' (a dog breed used for hunting). The term first appears in English texts in the 14th century, appearing as grayhound or greyhound in various spellings. The color descriptor likely references the coat’s shading, though over time the breed’s identity became tied to speed and agility. Early references emphasize hunting prowess and swift chase, aligning with medieval hunting practices where swift dogs were prized. The modern breed’s standard was refined in 18th–19th century England, shaping the lean physique and deep chest seen today. In American usage, both greyhound and grayhound spellings faded to the single form greyhound commonly used today. The word’s association with high-speed animals and, in some regions, a long-distance bus company, reflects linguistic shifts where compound nouns preserve the color-noun pairing but broaden to metaphorical uses. First known printed attestations show the term in racing and hunting contexts, gradually evolving into a household name for both the dog and the public transport service, depending on regional branding and language norms.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "greyhound" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "greyhound" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "greyhound"
-und sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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