How to pronounce beleaguer
Say it like bih-LEE-gher. Beleaguer has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce beleaguer. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- bih
- LEE
- gher
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Beleaguer pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- bihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- LEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- gherKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of beleaguer
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: bih-LEE-guh.
What does beleaguer mean?
- To besiege; to surround with troops.
- To vex, harass, or beset.
- To exhaust.
Where does beleaguer come from?
Borrowed from Dutch belegeren and/or Middle Low German belēgeren; equivalent to be- + lair.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with beleaguer
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of beleaguer.
Questions about saying beleaguer
How do you pronounce beleaguer?
Say bih-LEE-gher. The American pronunciation is /bɪˈliɡɚ/. In British English it is /bɪˈliːɡə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in beleaguer?
Beleaguer has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEE). Broken into parts: bih · LEE · gher.
Is beleaguer pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /bɪˈliːɡə/ (bih-LEE-guh).