English pronunciation · Words Starting with O

Ordain Pronunciation

Ordain is pronounced awr-DAYN, IPA /ɔrˈdeɪn/.

awr-DAYN

US /ɔrˈdeɪn/  ·  UK /ɔːˈdeɪn/

Syllables: awr · DAYN (2 syllables, stress on syllable 2)

verb: To make someone a priest or minister, or to order something officially.

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Ordain in a Sentence

  • The church agreed to ordain women in 1994.
  • Parliament may ordain a new date for the vote.
  • He was ordained the year his father died.

Common Mispronunciations of Ordain

Not AWR-dayn

Weight belongs on the DAYN. The opening awr is a short unstressed step, which is why the word sounds nothing like ordinary.

Not awr-DYN

The ai spells ay, as it does in rain and plain. A long i ending would give you ordine, which is not a word.

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