How to pronounce elite
Say it like ih-LEET. Elite has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce elite. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ih
- LEET
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Elite pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- LEETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of elite
American and British speakers say elite in essentially the same way: /ɪˈlit/ in the US and /ɪˈliːt/ in the UK.
British respelling: ih-LEET.
What does elite mean?
- a group or class of persons enjoying superior intellectual or social or economic status
- selected as the best“an elect circle of artists”“elite colleges”
Where does elite come from?
From Middle English elit, from Old French elit, eslit (“chosen, elected”) past participle of elire, eslire (“to choose, elect”), from Latin eligere (“to choose, elect”), with past participle electus; see elect.
Words that rhyme with elite
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of elite.
Questions about saying elite
How do you pronounce elite?
Say ih-LEET. The American pronunciation is /ɪˈlit/. In British English it is /ɪˈliːt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in elite?
Elite has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEET). Broken into parts: ih · LEET.
Do Americans and Brits say elite the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪˈlit/ and the British form is /ɪˈliːt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.