How to pronounce elevator
Say it like EL-uh-vay-ter. Elevator has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce elevator. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EL
- uh
- vay
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Elevator pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- vayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of elevator
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: EL-ih-vay-tuh.
What does elevator mean?
- lifting device consisting of a platform or cage that is raised and lowered mechanically in a vertical shaft in order to move people from one floor to another in a building
- the airfoil on the tailplane of an aircraft that makes it ascend or descend
Where does elevator come from?
From elevate + -or.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying elevator
How do you pronounce elevator?
Say EL-uh-vay-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈɛləˌveɪtɚ/. In British English it is /ˈɛlɪˌveɪtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in elevator?
Elevator has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EL). Broken into parts: EL · uh · vay · ter.
Is elevator 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 /ˈɛlɪˌveɪtə/ (EL-ih-vay-tuh).