How to pronounce leviathan
Say it like luh-VY-uh-thun. Leviathan has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce leviathan. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- luh
- VY
- uh
- thun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Leviathan pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- VYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- thunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of leviathan
- American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3.
British respelling: lih-VY-thun.
What does leviathan mean?
- A vast sea monster of tremendous strength, either imaginary or real, described as the most dangerous and powerful creature in the ocean.
- A thing which is monstrously great in size, strength, etc. (especially a ship); also, a person with great power or wealth.
- Sometimes in the form Leviathan: based on the writings of Thomas Hobbes, the political state, especially a domineering and totalitarian one.
- Very large; enormous, gargantuan.
Where does leviathan come from?
The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying leviathan
How do you pronounce leviathan?
Say luh-VY-uh-thun. The American pronunciation is /ləˈvaɪəθən/. In British English it is /lɪˈvaɪθən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in leviathan?
Leviathan has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VY). Broken into parts: luh · VY · uh · thun.
Is leviathan pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3. The British form is /lɪˈvaɪθən/ (lih-VY-thun).