How to pronounce legerdemain
Say it like LEJ-er-duh-mayn. Legerdemain has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEJ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce legerdemain. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LEJ
- er
- duh
- mayn
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Legerdemain pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LEJSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- maynGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of legerdemain
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 4.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: lej-uh-dih-MAYN.
What does legerdemain mean?
- Sleight of hand; "magic" trickery.
- A show of skill or deceitful ability.
Where does legerdemain come from?
From Middle English legerdemeyn, lechardemane, from Old French léger de main (literally “light of hand”), a phrase that meant “dexterous, skillful at fooling others (especially through sleights of hand)”, which was however treated as a noun
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying legerdemain
How do you pronounce legerdemain?
Say LEJ-er-duh-mayn. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɛdʒərdəˌmeɪn/. In British English it is /ˌlɛdʒədɪˈmeɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in legerdemain?
Legerdemain has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEJ). Broken into parts: LEJ · er · duh · mayn.
Is legerdemain pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 4. The British form is /ˌlɛdʒədɪˈmeɪn/ (lej-uh-dih-MAYN).