How to pronounce enliven
Say it like en-LY-vun. Enliven 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 enliven. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- en
- LY
- vun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Enliven pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- enKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- LYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- vunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of enliven
American and British speakers say enliven in essentially the same way: /ɛnˈlaɪvən/ in the US and /ɛnˈlaɪvən/ in the UK.
British respelling: en-LY-vun.
What does enliven mean?
- To make more lively, cheerful or interesting.“The game was much enlivened when both teams scored within five minutes of each other.”
Where does enliven come from?
From life + en- -en (intensifying verbal circumfix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying enliven
How do you pronounce enliven?
Say en-LY-vun. The American pronunciation is /ɛnˈlaɪvən/. In British English it is /ɛnˈlaɪvən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in enliven?
Enliven has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LY). Broken into parts: en · LY · vun.
Do Americans and Brits say enliven the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɛnˈlaɪvən/ and the British form is /ɛnˈlaɪvən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.