How to pronounce lavender
Say it like LAV-un-der. Lavender has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lavender. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LAV
- un
- der
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lavender pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LAVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- derKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of lavender
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: LAV-un-duh.
What does lavender mean?
- Having a pale purple color.
- Pertaining to LGBT people and rights.
- Pertaining to lesbian feminism; opposing heterosexism.
- Any of a group of European plants, genus, Lavandula, of the mint family.
- A pale bluish purple or violet color, like that of the lavender flower.
- To decorate or perfume with lavender.
Where does lavender come from?
From Middle English lavendre, from Anglo-Norman lavendre (French lavande), from Medieval Latin lavendula, possibly from Latin lividus (“bluish”), but influenced by lavō (“to wash”) due to the use of lavender in washing clothes.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying lavender
How do you pronounce lavender?
Say LAV-un-der. The American pronunciation is /ˈlævəndɚ/. In British English it is /ˈlævəndə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lavender?
Lavender has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAV). Broken into parts: LAV · un · der.
Is lavender 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 /ˈlævəndə/ (LAV-un-duh).