How to pronounce library
Say it like LY-breh-ree. Library has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LY).
- LY
- breh
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: Keep both r's: 'LY-brair-ee', not 'LY-bair-ee'.
Library pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- brehKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- reeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of library
American and British speakers say library in essentially the same way: /ˈlaɪbrɛˌri/ in the US and /ˈlaɪbrəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: LY-bruh-ree.
What does library mean?
- An institution which holds books and/or other forms of media for use by the public or qualified people often lending them out, as well as providing various other services for its users.“She went to exchange her books at her local library.”
- Any institution that lends out its goods for use by the public or a community.“You can check out a bandsaw from the tool library.”
- A collection of books or other forms of stored information.
Where does library come from?
Romance cognates often mean “bookshop” instead: French librairie, Italian libreria, Spanish librería, Romanian librărie and Portuguese livraria.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- bookhouse
- bibliotheca
- bibliotheque
- depository library
- program library
- subroutine library
Questions about saying library
How do you pronounce library?
Say LY-breh-ree. The American pronunciation is /ˈlaɪbrɛˌri/. In British English it is /ˈlaɪbrəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in library?
Library has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LY). Broken into parts: LY · breh · ree.
Do Americans and Brits say library the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlaɪbrɛˌri/ and the British form is /ˈlaɪbrəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.