Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

constrain

/kənˈstɹeɪn/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.82 in modern English

Syllables
con-strain
IPA
/kənˈstɹeɪn/
11
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
2
Syllables
8
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To force physically, by strong persuasion or pressuring; to compel; to oblige.

Transitive verb

verb

To keep within close bounds; to confine.

Transitive verb

verb

To reduce a result in response to limited resources.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe? Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-Italic *kom- Latin cōn- Proto-Indo-European *streyg- Proto-Indo-European *-né- Proto-Indo-European *-ti Proto-Indo-European *strinégti Proto-Italic *stringō Proto-Indo-European *strengʰ- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *stréngʰeti Proto-Italic *strengō Latin stringō Latin cōnstringōder. Old French constreindrebor. Middle English constreinen English constrain From Middle English constreinen, from Old French constreindre, from Latin cōnstringō, from cōn- (“with, together”) + stringō (“to draw, bind or tie tight”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *streyg- (“to stroke, to shear, stiff”).

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Prefix: cōn
  • Root: constreinen, constreindre, cōnstringō, *streyg-

Usage

Inflected Forms

constrains (present, singular) constraining (participle, present) constrained (participle, past) constrained (past)

Derived Forms

coconstrain constrainable constrainer constrainingly constrainment constraintive overconstrain unconstrain unconstraining underconstrain

Frequently Paired Words

constraint constrict restrain strain

Synonyms

stiffen tighten tighten up restrain confine hold enforce impose

Rhymes With

main pain campaign train brain explain remain gain plane rain chain maintain

Questions

How do you pronounce constrain?
The recorded pronunciation is /kənˈstɹeɪn/.
What does constrain mean?
To force physically, by strong persuasion or pressuring; to compel; to oblige.
Where does constrain come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce constrain

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “constrain”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/kənˈstɹeɪn/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “constrain”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “constrain” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.