How to pronounce heavy
Say it like HEV-ee. Heavy has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HEV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce heavy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HEV
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Heavy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HEVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of heavy
American and British speakers say heavy in essentially the same way: /ˈhɛvi/ in the US and /ˈhɛvi/ in the UK.
British respelling: HEV-ee.
What does heavy mean?
- of comparatively great physical weight or density“a heavy load”“lead is a heavy metal”
- unusually great in degree or quantity or number“heavy taxes”“a heavy fine”
- of the military or industry; using (or being) the heaviest and most powerful armaments or weapons or equipment“heavy artillery”“heavy infantry”
- an actor who plays villainous roles
- a serious (or tragic) role in a play
- slowly as if burdened by much weight“time hung heavy on their hands”
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with heavy
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of heavy.
Questions about saying heavy
How do you pronounce heavy?
Say HEV-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɛvi/. In British English it is /ˈhɛvi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in heavy?
Heavy has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HEV). Broken into parts: HEV · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say heavy the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhɛvi/ and the British form is /ˈhɛvi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.