How to pronounce lever
Say it like LEV-er. Lever has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lever. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LEV
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lever pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LEVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of lever
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: LEE-vuh.
Other ways to say lever
Lever also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- LEE-ver /ˈlivɚ/
What does lever mean?
- a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum
- a simple machine that gives a mechanical advantage when given a fulcrum
- a flat metal tumbler in a lever lock
- to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open“The burglar jimmied the lock”“Raccoons managed to pry the lid off the garbage pail”
Where does lever come from?
From Middle English lever, levore, levour, from Old French leveor, leveur (“a lifter, lever (also Old French and French levier)”), from Latin levātor (“a lifter”), from levō (“to raise”).
Words that rhyme with lever
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of lever.
Questions about saying lever
How do you pronounce lever?
Say LEV-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɛvɚ/. In British English it is /ˈliːvə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lever?
Lever has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEV). Broken into parts: LEV · er.
Is lever pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈliːvə/ (LEE-vuh).