How to pronounce forklift
Say it like FORK-lift. Forklift has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FORK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce forklift. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FORK
- lift
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Forklift pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FORKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- liftGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of forklift
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: FAWK-lift.
What does forklift mean?
- A small industrial vehicle with a power-operated fork-like pronged platform that can be raised and lowered for insertion under a load, often on pallets, to be lifted and moved.
- To move or stack with, or as if with, such a vehicle.
Where does forklift come from?
From fork + lift.
Questions about saying forklift
How do you pronounce forklift?
Say FORK-lift. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɔrkˌlɪft/. In British English it is /ˈfɔːkˌlɪft/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in forklift?
Forklift has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FORK). Broken into parts: FORK · lift.
Is forklift 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 /ˈfɔːkˌlɪft/ (FAWK-lift).