How to pronounce cleaver
Say it like KLEE-ver. Cleaver 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 cleaver. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KLEE
- ver
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cleaver 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.
- verKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of cleaver
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KLEE-vuh.
What does cleaver mean?
- A squarish, heavy knife used by butchers for hacking through bones, etc.
- A Paleolithic biface.
- A type of clave, or rhythm stick, a concussive musical instrument used in traditional Bahamian music.
Where does cleaver come from?
From Middle English clevere, equivalent to cleave + -er.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with cleaver
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of cleaver.
Questions about saying cleaver
How do you pronounce cleaver?
Say KLEE-ver. The American pronunciation is /ˈklivɚ/. In British English it is /ˈkliːvə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cleaver?
Cleaver has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KLEE). Broken into parts: KLEE · ver.
Is cleaver 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 /ˈkliːvə/ (KLEE-vuh).