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How to pronounce lier

Say it like LY-er. Lier has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LY).

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Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lier. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.

US American/ˈlaɪɚ/LY-er
UK British/ˈlaɪə/LY-uh
  • LY
  • er
  • Main stress
  • Lighter stress
  • Unstressed

Lier pronunciation, sound by sound

Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.

  1. LYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
  2. erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.

American vs British pronunciation of lier

  • Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.

British respelling: LY-uh.

What does lier mean?

noun
  1. A person or thing that lies, in the sense of being horizontal.
  2. A lie-abed; one who stays in bed late.

Where does lier come from?

From Middle English lier, equivalent to lie + -er.

Words that rhyme with lier

Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of lier.

Words that sound like lier

Questions about saying lier

How do you pronounce lier?

Say LY-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈlaɪɚ/. In British English it is /ˈlaɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.

How many syllables are in lier?

Lier has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LY). Broken into parts: LY · er.

Is lier 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 /ˈlaɪə/ (LY-uh).

What words sound the same as lier?

Lier sounds the same as liar, lyre in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.

Pronunciation from Wiktionary; meaning and origin adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).