How to pronounce lair
Say it like LAIR. Lair is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lair. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LAIR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lair pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LAIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of lair
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: LAIR.
What does lair mean?
- A place inhabited by a wild animal, often a cave or a hole in the ground.
- A shed or shelter for domestic animals.
- A place inhabited by a criminal or criminals, a superhero or a supervillain; a refuge, retreat, haven or hideaway.
- A bog; a mire.
- To rest; to dwell.
- To lay down.
- To bury.
Where does lair come from?
From Middle English leir, leire, lair, lare, from Old English leġer (“couch, bed”), from Proto-Germanic *legrą, from Proto-Indo-European *legʰ-.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with lair
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of lair.
Questions about saying lair
How do you pronounce lair?
Say LAIR. The American pronunciation is /lɛr/. In British English it is /lɛə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lair?
Lair is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: LAIR.
Is lair 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 /lɛə/ (LAIR).