How to pronounce lenient
Say it like LEE-nee-unt. Lenient 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 lenient. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LEE
- nee
- unt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lenient 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.
- neeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- untKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of lenient
- American English uses 3 syllables and British English 2.
British respelling: lee-neernt.
What does lenient mean?
- Lax; not strict; tolerant of dissent or deviation.“The standard is fairly lenient, so use your discretion.”
- A lenitive; an emollient.
Where does lenient come from?
From Middle French lénient, from Latin lēniēns (whence -i- + -ent), present participle of lēnīre (“to soften, soothe”), from lēnis (“soft”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying lenient
How do you pronounce lenient?
Say LEE-nee-unt. The American pronunciation is /ˈliniənt/. In British English it is /liːnɪənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lenient?
Lenient has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEE). Broken into parts: LEE · nee · unt.
Is lenient pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 3 syllables and British English 2. The British form is /liːnɪənt/ (lee-neernt).