2 syllables: Re, tail. Stress on Re.
REE-tayl
/ˈɹiˌteɪl/
Retail is pronounced REE-tayl (/ˈɹiˌteɪl/). It has two syllables (Re-tail), with the stress on "Re". Retail is used to describe goods sold directly to consumers or the process of selling those goods. In everyday use, it often modifies a noun (retail price) or functions as an adjective in phrases like retail market. It emphasizes consumer-facing selling, often contrasted with bulk or wholesale. (2-4 sentences, ~52 words).
adjectiveRetail is used to describe goods sold directly to consumers or the process of selling those goods. In everyday use, it often modifies a noun (retail price) or functions as an adjective in phrases like retail market. It emphasizes consumer-facing selling, often contrasted with bulk or wholesale. (2-4 sentences, ~52 words)
How to Pronounce Retail
"The retailer offers a discount on all handbags this weekend."
"She works in retail and handles customer inquiries daily."
"We’re evaluating the retail value of the new product line."
Retail is pronounced with two syllables: /ˈriː.teɪl/. The primary stress is on the first syllable. Begin with a long 'ee' sound in the first syllable, then glide into a clear 'tale' ending with a light 'l'. You’ll position the tongue high for the /iː/ and lift the tip to make the /t/ clearly, finishing with a relaxed /l/. IPA: US/UK/AU = /ˈriː.teɪl/. Audio reference: consult a reputable dictionary or Forvo for speaker variations.
Common errors include pronouncing it as one syllable (re-tail) or with a shortened vowel /ɹɪˈteɪl/; overpronouncing the second syllable (/riːˈteɪl/) or flattening the /eɪ/ into /e/. Correct this by keeping two syllables, ensuring the first syllable has /iː/ and the second has /eɪ/, with a crisp /t/ in the middle. Practice with minimal pairs like ‘retail’ vs ‘retail store’ to reinforce the two-part rhythm.
In US/UK/AU, the pronunciation remains /ˈriː.teɪl/, with stress on the first syllable. The main variation lies in the quality of the rhoticity and the /ɹ/ onset; US typically retains a rhotic /ɹ/ in connected speech, UK audibly less rhotic in some accents, and AU often aligns with Australian vowel lenition patterns while maintaining the same rhythm. The /teɪl/ syllable remains relatively stable across accents.
The challenge lies in two syllables with a precise diphthong /eɪ/ and a crisp /t/ in a compact phrase. Speakers sometimes fuse syllables (re-tail) or misplace stress, turning it into a single-syllable word or altering the vowel quality. Practicing the two-syllable rhythm and isolating the /t/ between /iː/ and /eɪ/ helps, as does careful mouth positioning for the /ˈriː/ onset and the final /l/.
Retail hinges on precise vowel-to-consonant transitions: ensure the second syllable carries the /eɪ/ diphthong and that the tongue tip taps the alveolar ridge for /t/. Avoid delaying the /l/ or letting it become a dark, velarized ending. Focus on the clear boundary between the syllables in connected speech, especially when saying phrases like ‘retail price’ or ‘retail sector.’ IPA: /ˈriː.teɪl/.
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Retail originates from the Old French word retailer, from railler meaning to divide or break up, with the sense of distributing goods in small quantities. In Middle English, retail developed to describe selling in small quantities directly to customers, as opposed to wholesale selling to stores. The modern sense as a direct consumer sales concept dates to the 15th century, with early English texts indicating merchants offering goods in smaller lots. Over time, retail broadened from a purely transactional act to encompass the broader retail sector, incorporating retailing strategies, store formats, and omnichannel approaches. The term’s evolution tracks changes in commerce—from small, local markets to global supply chains—while the spelling stabilized by the 18th century. First known uses appear in merchant handbooks and early market regulations, where distinctions between retail and wholesale were codified for taxation and trade practices.
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Help others use "Retail" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Retail" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Retail" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Retail"
-ail sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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