How to pronounce leprosy
Say it like LEP-ruh-see. Leprosy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce leprosy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LEP
- ruh
- see
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Leprosy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LEPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ruhKeep 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 leprosy
American and British speakers say leprosy in essentially the same way: /ˈlɛprəsi/ in the US and /ˈlɛprəsi/ in the UK.
British respelling: LEP-ruh-see.
What does leprosy mean?
- An infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, gradually producing nerve damage and patches of skin necrosis and historically handled by permanently quarantining its sufferers.
- Similar contagious skin diseases causing light patches of scaly skin, particularly psoriasis, syphilis, vitiligo, scabies, and (biblical) the various diseases considered "tzaraath" in the Old Testament.
- Anything considered similarly permanent, harmful, and communicable, particularly when such a thing should be handled by avoidance or isolation of its victims.“Sin is a spiritual leprosy.”
Questions about saying leprosy
How do you pronounce leprosy?
Say LEP-ruh-see. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɛprəsi/. In British English it is /ˈlɛprəsi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in leprosy?
Leprosy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEP). Broken into parts: LEP · ruh · see.
Do Americans and Brits say leprosy the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlɛprəsi/ and the British form is /ˈlɛprəsi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.