How to pronounce leniency
Say it like LEE-nyun-see. Leniency has three 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 leniency. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LEE
- nyun
- see
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Leniency 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.
- nyunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- seeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of leniency
American and British speakers say leniency in essentially the same way: /ˈlinjənsi/ in the US and /ˈliːnjənsi/ in the UK.
British respelling: LEE-nyun-see.
What does leniency mean?
- The quality of mercy or forgiveness, especially in the assignment of punishment as in a court case.“The convicted felon asked for leniency, but because the crime was so heinous the judge refused and gave the maximum sentence.”
- An act of being lenient.
Where does leniency come from?
From lenience + -y, from Latin lēn(iō) (“to soften, soothe”), from lēnis (“soft”).
Questions about saying leniency
How do you pronounce leniency?
Say LEE-nyun-see. The American pronunciation is /ˈlinjənsi/. In British English it is /ˈliːnjənsi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in leniency?
Leniency has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEE). Broken into parts: LEE · nyun · see.
Do Americans and Brits say leniency the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlinjənsi/ and the British form is /ˈliːnjənsi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.