How to pronounce lesson
Say it like LES-un. Lesson has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lesson. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LES
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lesson pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of lesson
American and British speakers say lesson in essentially the same way: /ˈlɛsən/ in the US and /ˈlɛsən/ in the UK.
British respelling: LES-un.
What does lesson mean?
- a unit of instruction“he took driving lessons”
- punishment intended as a warning to others“they decided to make an example of him”
- the significance of a story or event“the moral of the story is to love thy neighbor”
Where does lesson come from?
From Middle English lessoun, from Old French leçon, from Latin lēctiō, lēctiōnem (“a reading”), from legō (“to read; to gather”).
Words that rhyme with lesson
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of lesson.
Words that sound like lesson
Questions about saying lesson
How do you pronounce lesson?
Say LES-un. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɛsən/. In British English it is /ˈlɛsən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lesson?
Lesson has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LES). Broken into parts: LES · un.
Do Americans and Brits say lesson the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlɛsən/ and the British form is /ˈlɛsən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as lesson?
Lesson sounds the same as lessen in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.