How to pronounce ivy
Say it like EYE-vee. Ivy has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EYE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ivy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EYE
- vee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ivy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EYESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- veeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of ivy
American and British speakers say ivy in essentially the same way: /ˈaɪvi/ in the US and /ˈaɪvi/ in the UK.
British respelling: EYE-vee.
What does ivy mean?
- Old World vine with lobed evergreen leaves and black berrylike fruits
Where does ivy come from?
From Middle English ivi, from Old English īfiġ, from Proto-West Germanic *ibig, *ibag, *ibah, from Proto-Germanic *ibahs (compare West Flemish iefte, Low German Eiloov, Ieloof, German Efeu), from Proto-Indo-European *(h₁)ebʰ- (compare Welsh
Questions about saying ivy
How do you pronounce ivy?
Say EYE-vee. The American pronunciation is /ˈaɪvi/. In British English it is /ˈaɪvi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ivy?
Ivy has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EYE). Broken into parts: EYE · vee.
Do Americans and Brits say ivy the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈaɪvi/ and the British form is /ˈaɪvi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.