How to pronounce cleavage
Say it like KLEE-vuj. Cleavage has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KLEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cleavage. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KLEE
- vuj
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cleavage pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KLEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- vujKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of cleavage
American and British speakers say cleavage in essentially the same way: /ˈklivədʒ/ in the US and /ˈkliːvədʒ/ in the UK.
British respelling: KLEE-vuj.
What does cleavage mean?
- The act of cleaving or the state of being cleft.
- Any similar separation between two body parts, such as the buttocks or toes.
- The repeated division of a cell into daughter cells after mitosis.
Where does cleavage come from?
From cleave + -age.
Questions about saying cleavage
How do you pronounce cleavage?
Say KLEE-vuj. The American pronunciation is /ˈklivədʒ/. In British English it is /ˈkliːvədʒ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cleavage?
Cleavage has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KLEE). Broken into parts: KLEE · vuj.
Do Americans and Brits say cleavage the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈklivədʒ/ and the British form is /ˈkliːvədʒ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.