How to pronounce heavyweight
Say it like HEV-ee-wayt. Heavyweight has three 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 heavyweight. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HEV
- ee
- wayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Heavyweight 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.
- waytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of heavyweight
American and British speakers say heavyweight in essentially the same way: /ˈhɛviˌweɪt/ in the US and /ˈhɛviˌweɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: HEV-ee-wayt.
What does heavyweight mean?
- an amateur boxer who weighs no more than 201 pounds
- a wrestler who weighs more than 214 pounds
- a professional boxer who weighs more than 190 pounds
Where does heavyweight come from?
From heavy + weight.
Questions about saying heavyweight
How do you pronounce heavyweight?
Say HEV-ee-wayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɛviˌweɪt/. In British English it is /ˈhɛviˌweɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in heavyweight?
Heavyweight has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HEV). Broken into parts: HEV · ee · wayt.
Do Americans and Brits say heavyweight the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhɛviˌweɪt/ and the British form is /ˈhɛviˌweɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.