How to pronounce lemma
Say it like LEM-uh. Lemma has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lemma. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LEM
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lemma pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LEMSay 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.
American vs British pronunciation of lemma
American and British speakers say lemma in essentially the same way: /ˈlɛmə/ in the US and /ˈlɛmə/ in the UK.
British respelling: LEM-uh.
What does lemma mean?
- A proposition proved or accepted for immediate use in the proof of some other proposition.
- A proposition originally used for such a purpose, but having later acquired a greater, independent, importance; a fundamental (often pithy) and widely-used result.
- The canonical form of an inflected word; i.e., the form usually found as the headword in a dictionary, such as the nominative singular of a noun, the bare infinitive of a verb, etc.“Cat is a lemma, but cats is not.”
- The outer shell of a fruit or similar body.
- One of the specialized bracts around the floret in grasses.
Words that rhyme with lemma
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of lemma.
Questions about saying lemma
How do you pronounce lemma?
Say LEM-uh. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɛmə/. In British English it is /ˈlɛmə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lemma?
Lemma has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEM). Broken into parts: LEM · uh.
Do Americans and Brits say lemma the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlɛmə/ and the British form is /ˈlɛmə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.