How to pronounce lawful
Say it like LAW-ful. Lawful has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lawful. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LAW
- ful
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lawful pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- fulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of lawful
American and British speakers say lawful in essentially the same way: /ˈlɔfəl/ in the US and /ˈlɔːfəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: LAW-ful.
What does lawful mean?
- conformable to or allowed by law“lawful methods of dissent”
- according to custom or rule or natural law
- having a legally established claim“the legitimate heir”“the true and lawful king”
Where does lawful come from?
From Middle English laweful, equivalent to law + -ful, conflated with Middle English leful, leeful, leveful (“according to law, lawful, pertaining to law”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with lawful
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of lawful.
Questions about saying lawful
How do you pronounce lawful?
Say LAW-ful. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɔfəl/. In British English it is /ˈlɔːfəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lawful?
Lawful has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAW). Broken into parts: LAW · ful.
Do Americans and Brits say lawful the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlɔfəl/ and the British form is /ˈlɔːfəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.