Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

naysayer

/ˈneɪˌseɪ.ɚ/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.72 in modern English

Syllables: nay-say-er
IPA: /ˈneɪˌseɪ.ɚ/

14

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

One who consistently denies, criticizes, or doubts; a detractor.

Example Sentences

"He ignored the naysayers and succeeded with his idea."
"As for the IRP, Secretary of State Grant Shapps continues to peddle snake oil, smoke and mirrors. His reaction to near-universal IRP condemnation from politicians, local and national media, and all but a few rail specialists was to dismiss the lot of us (in the condescending and patronising tone we have now come to expect) as "critics and naysayers"."

Etymology

From nay + say + -er, equivalent to naysay + -er. First use appears c. 1552.

Word Breakdown

Prefix: nay
Suffix: say, naysay

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈneɪˌseɪ.ɚ/
British English: /ˈneɪˌseɪ.ə(ɹ)/

Inflected Forms

naysayers (plural) nay-sayer (alternative)

Phrases

nay-say nay-saying

Frequently Paired Words

nay-say nay-saying naysaying

Synonyms

cynic doubter pessimist

Antonyms

yeasayer yea-sayer

Rhymes With

player mayor layer mayer slayer surveyor conveyor bayer payer thayer maier beyer

Questions

How do you pronounce naysayer?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈneɪˌseɪ.ɚ/.
What does naysayer mean?: One who consistently denies, criticizes, or doubts; a detractor.
Where does naysayer come from?: From nay + say + -er, equivalent to naysay + -er. First use appears c. 1552.

How to pronounce naysayer

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