How to pronounce lexicon
Say it like LEK-sih-kon. Lexicon has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lexicon. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LEK
- sih
- kon
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lexicon pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- sihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- konGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of lexicon
American and British speakers say lexicon in essentially the same way: /ˈlɛksɪˌkɑn/ in the US and /ˈlɛksɪkən/ in the UK.
British respelling: LEK-sih-kun.
What does lexicon mean?
- The vocabulary of a language.
- A dictionary that includes or focuses on lexemes.
- A dictionary of Classical Greek, Hebrew, Latin, or Aramaic.
- To add to a lexicon.
- To shorten a soundtrack to fit a shortened version of a movie.
Where does lexicon come from?
Attested at least since 1583 (in William Fulke's A Defense of the Sincere and True Translations of the Holy Scriptures into the English tongue) in the sense 'a dictionary of a classical language'.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying lexicon
How do you pronounce lexicon?
Say LEK-sih-kon. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɛksɪˌkɑn/. In British English it is /ˈlɛksɪkən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lexicon?
Lexicon has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEK). Broken into parts: LEK · sih · kon.
Do Americans and Brits say lexicon the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlɛksɪˌkɑn/ and the British form is /ˈlɛksɪkən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.