How to pronounce leeway
Say it like LEE-way. Leeway has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce leeway. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LEE
- way
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Leeway pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- wayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of leeway
American and British speakers say leeway in essentially the same way: /ˈliˌweɪ/ in the US and /ˈliːˌweɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: LEE-way.
What does leeway mean?
- The drift of a ship or aeroplane in a leeward direction.
- A varying degree or amount of freedom or flexibility.“I don't think we have a lot of leeway when it comes to proper formatting.”
- An adverse discrepancy or variation in a cumulative process, usually in the phrase make up leeway.
Where does leeway come from?
From lee (“side away from the wind”) + way.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with leeway
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of leeway.
Questions about saying leeway
How do you pronounce leeway?
Say LEE-way. The American pronunciation is /ˈliˌweɪ/. In British English it is /ˈliːˌweɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in leeway?
Leeway has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEE). Broken into parts: LEE · way.
Do Americans and Brits say leeway the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈliˌweɪ/ and the British form is /ˈliːˌweɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.