How to pronounce legionnaire
Say it like lee-juh-NAIR. Legionnaire has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce legionnaire. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- lee
- juh
- NAIR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Legionnaire pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- leeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- juhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NAIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of legionnaire
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: lee-juh-NAIR.
What does legionnaire mean?
- A person who is neither a citizen nor colonial/imperial subject of the state whose military they join.
- A member of a legion, especially the French Foreign Legion.
Where does legionnaire come from?
Borrowed from French légionnaire.
Words that rhyme with legionnaire
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of legionnaire.
Questions about saying legionnaire
How do you pronounce legionnaire?
Say lee-juh-NAIR. The American pronunciation is /ˌlidʒəˈnɛr/. In British English it is /ˌliːdʒəˈnɛə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in legionnaire?
Legionnaire has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAIR). Broken into parts: lee · juh · NAIR.
Is legionnaire 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 /ˌliːdʒəˈnɛə/ (lee-juh-NAIR).