The spelling of the word "tenail" is often confusing for many individuals due to its irregular pronunciation. The correct IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈtɛnəl/. The first syllable, "ten," is pronounced like the number 10 with an "eh" sound at the end. The second syllable, "ail," has a long "a" sound like in "ailment" and is pronounced with a silent "e." A "tenail" is a type of nail used in woodworking and other construction work, often called a "cut nail."