How to pronounce enlighten
Say it like en-LY-tun. Enlighten has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce enlighten. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- en
- LY
- tun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Enlighten pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- enGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- LYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- tunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of enlighten
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: en-LY-tun.
What does enlighten mean?
- To supply with light.“The sun enlightens the Earth.”
- To make something clear to (someone); to give knowledge or understanding to.“She tried to enlighten them about the rules of the program, but they remained belligerently and self-righteously ignorant.”
Where does enlighten come from?
Formerly also inlighten, from Middle English enlightenen, inlightnen, a hybrid formed from inlighten (“to enlighten, illuminate”), from Old English inlīhtan, onlīhtan, enlīhtan (“to enlighten, illuminate, give light to, give sight to”) and
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with enlighten
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of enlighten.
Questions about saying enlighten
How do you pronounce enlighten?
Say en-LY-tun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɛnˈlaɪtən/. In British English it is /ˌɛnˈlaɪtən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in enlighten?
Enlighten has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LY). Broken into parts: en · LY · tun.
Is enlighten pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˌɛnˈlaɪtən/ (en-LY-tun).