How to pronounce elevenses
Say it like uh-LEV-un-zuz. Elevenses has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce elevenses. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- LEV
- un
- zuz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Elevenses pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LEVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- zuzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of elevenses
American and British speakers say elevenses in essentially the same way: /əˈlɛvənzəz/ in the US and /ɪˈlɛvənzɪz/ in the UK.
British respelling: ih-LEV-un-ziz.
What does elevenses mean?
- A short mid-morning break taken around eleven o'clock for a drink or light snack.
Where does elevenses come from?
From dialectal elevens (“the eleven-o'clock meal”).
Questions about saying elevenses
How do you pronounce elevenses?
Say uh-LEV-un-zuz. The American pronunciation is /əˈlɛvənzəz/. In British English it is /ɪˈlɛvənzɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in elevenses?
Elevenses has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEV). Broken into parts: uh · LEV · un · zuz.
Do Americans and Brits say elevenses the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈlɛvənzəz/ and the British form is /ɪˈlɛvənzɪz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.