How to pronounce "knells" in English
knells
Hear native speakers say knells in context across real video clips
Linguistic Pronunciation Masterclass: “knells”
Phonetic mechanics, syllable architecture, and conversational cadence
Syllable Architecture & Stress Distribution
knells
Reduced vowel sound, relaxed jaw, and minimal vocal effort.
As a single-syllable word, "knells" receives full primary stress when spoken in isolation, though it may take a reduced weak form in connected speech when acting as a function word.
Common Pronunciation Traps & Learner Mistakes
The Trap: Do not attempt to pronounce the "k" in "knells".
How Native Speakers Say It: Begin articulation immediately on the alveolar nasal /n/ sound, as if the word started with the letter "n".
Connected Speech & Natural Conversational Flow
When "knells" is followed by a word starting with a vowel, glide the final consonant into the opening vowel (e.g. "knells is" sounds like "knells-iz").
In natural sentences, avoid over-stressing "knells" unless it conveys the core contrast or focal point of your message.
Authentic Spoken Quotes from Native Video Context
“He continues, and now gives us instructions: Take this Sea, whose diapason knells”— YaleCoursesWatch clip
“And I don't think that books are going to see their death knells anytime soon, honestly, because I”— Native SpeakerWatch clip
“desire runs deep betrayal runs deep but it can be healed and some affairs are death knells for”— Native SpeakerWatch clip
“And some affairs are death knells for relationships that were already dying on the vine.”— Native SpeakerWatch clip
Practice Speaking “knells”
Listen to native pronunciation, record yourself repeating the sentence into your microphone, and receive real-time word-by-word accuracy scoring.
He continues, and now gives us instructions: Take this Sea, whose diapason knells
Hear it in context: “knells”
4 clipsThe English word “knells”. Phonologically, it consists of 1 syllable (knells), pronounced as a single stressed monosyllable. Grammatically, “knells” functions as a verb, noun and acts as an English heteronym where syllable stress shifts between noun (initial-syllable stress) and verb (second-syllable stress) usage. SayItVid indexes 4 authentic English video clips demonstrating how native speakers articulate “knells” in natural connected speech across American (US: 4 sampled), British (UK), and Australian (AUS) accents, including verified broadcasts from YaleCourses.
Spoken Video Transcripts & Contextual Quotes (4 Verified Clips)
- 🇺🇸 USYaleCoursesClip #1 · @28:15
“He's unlike the scholarly Eliot. He continues, and now gives us instructions: Take this Sea, whose diapason knells Take this Sea, whose diapason knells”
- 🇺🇸 USClip #2 · @31:15
“for people to tell a story. And I don't think that books are going to see their death knells anytime soon, honestly, because I knells anytime soon, honestly, because I”
- 🇺🇸 USClip #3 · @0:36
“how do we heal from an affair desire runs deep betrayal runs deep but it can be healed and some affairs are death knells for relationships that were already dying on the vine but others will jolt us into new possibilities”
- 🇺🇸 USClip #4 · @15:07
“But it can be healed. And some affairs are death knells for relationships that were already dying on the vine. for relationships that were already dying on the vine.”
Definition & Meaning: “knells”
- To ring a bell slowly, especially for a funeral; to toll.
- To signal or proclaim something (especially a death) by ringing a bell.
- The sound of a bell knelling; a toll (particularly one signalling a death).
- A sign of the end or demise of something or someone.
Example Sentences (3)
- “I’ll make thee sick at heart, before I leave thee, And groan, and die indeed, and be worth nothing, Not worth a blessing nor a bell to knell for thee […]”
- “Let thy friends be as the dead in doom, And build to them a final tomb; Let the starred shade that nightly falls Still celebrate their funerals, And the bell of beetle and of bee Knell their melodious memory.”
- “He continues, and now gives us instructions: Take this Sea, whose diapason knells”
Common Phrases & Collocations
Pronounce: “knells”
- Syllables:
- knells
- Hear it in context
- knells
Words that Sound Identical (Homophones)
Unique Sound"knells" has no true homophones in standard English — there are no other words with identical pronunciation. Unlike sound-alike pairs like there / their or peace / piece, "knells" has a completely distinct phonetic identity.
Frequently asked questions about knells
What does “knells” mean?
To ring a bell slowly, especially for a funeral; to toll.
How can I hear “knells” used in real sentences?
This page has 4 real-world video examples of “knells” with synchronized subtitles. Use Previous / Next (or ← / → keys) to hear each one at the exact moment it is spoken.
What is the most common pronunciation mistake when saying “knells”?
Do not attempt to pronounce the "k" in "knells". Begin articulation immediately on the alveolar nasal /n/ sound, as if the word started with the letter "n".