How to pronounce lingerie
Say it like lahn-zhuh-RAY. Lingerie has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lingerie. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- lahn
- zhuh
- RAY
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: Americans say 'lon-zhuh-RAY'; the French ending is closer to 'ree'.
Lingerie pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- lahnGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- zhuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of lingerie
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 3, while British speakers stress syllable 1.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: LON-zhuh-ree.
Other ways to say lingerie
Lingerie also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- LAHN-zhuh-ray /ˈlɑnʒəˌreɪ/
What does lingerie mean?
- women's underwear and nightclothes
Where does lingerie come from?
Borrowed from French lingerie (“linen closet”).
Words that rhyme with lingerie
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of lingerie.
Questions about saying lingerie
How do you pronounce lingerie?
Say lahn-zhuh-RAY. The American pronunciation is /ˌlɑnʒəˈreɪ/. In British English it is /ˈlɒnʒəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lingerie?
Lingerie has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAY). Broken into parts: lahn · zhuh · RAY.
Is lingerie pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 3, while British speakers stress syllable 1. The British form is /ˈlɒnʒəri/ (LON-zhuh-ree).