How to pronounce leatherback
Say it like LETH-er-bak. Leatherback has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LETH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce leatherback. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LETH
- er
- bak
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Leatherback pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LETHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- bakGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of leatherback
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: LETH-uh-bak.
What does leatherback mean?
- Any member of the species Dermochelys coriacea, of large sea turtles with leathery backs.
- A lesser queenfish (Scomberoides lysan).
Where does leatherback come from?
From leather + back.
Questions about saying leatherback
How do you pronounce leatherback?
Say LETH-er-bak. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɛðɚˌbæk/. In British English it is /ˈlɛðəˌbæk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in leatherback?
Leatherback has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LETH). Broken into parts: LETH · er · bak.
Is leatherback 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 /ˈlɛðəˌbæk/ (LETH-uh-bak).