How to pronounce legalese
Say it like LEG-uh-lees. Legalese has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce legalese. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LEG
- uh
- lees
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Legalese pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LEGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- leesGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of legalese
American and British speakers say legalese in essentially the same way: /ˈlɛɡəˌlis/ in the US and /ˈlɛɡəˌliːs/ in the UK.
British respelling: LEG-uh-lees.
What does legalese mean?
- a style that uses the abstruse technical vocabulary of the law
Questions about saying legalese
How do you pronounce legalese?
Say LEG-uh-lees. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɛɡəˌlis/. In British English it is /ˈlɛɡəˌliːs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in legalese?
Legalese has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEG). Broken into parts: LEG · uh · lees.
Do Americans and Brits say legalese the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlɛɡəˌlis/ and the British form is /ˈlɛɡəˌliːs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.