How to pronounce lifeboat
Say it like LYFE-boht. Lifeboat has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LYFE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lifeboat. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LYFE
- boht
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lifeboat pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LYFESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- bohtGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of lifeboat
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: LYFE-boht.
What does lifeboat mean?
- A boat especially designed for saving the lives of shipwrecked people or people in distress at sea (either launched from the shore with a crew, or else carried on board a larger ship).
- An emergency vehicle carried aboard a spaceship.
- To rescue; to carry to safety
Where does lifeboat come from?
From life + boat.
Questions about saying lifeboat
How do you pronounce lifeboat?
Say LYFE-boht. The American pronunciation is /ˈlaɪfˌboʊt/. In British English it is /ˈlaɪfˌbəʊt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lifeboat?
Lifeboat has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LYFE). Broken into parts: LYFE · boht.
Is lifeboat pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈlaɪfˌbəʊt/ (LYFE-boht).