How to pronounce lion
Say it like LY-un. Lion has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lion. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LY
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lion 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.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of lion
American and British speakers say lion in essentially the same way: /ˈlaɪən/ in the US and /ˈlaɪən/ in the UK.
British respelling: LY-un.
What does lion mean?
- large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
- a celebrity who is lionized (much sought after)
- (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Leo
Words that rhyme with lion
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of lion.
Questions about saying lion
How do you pronounce lion?
Say LY-un. The American pronunciation is /ˈlaɪən/. In British English it is /ˈlaɪən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lion?
Lion has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LY). Broken into parts: LY · un.
Do Americans and Brits say lion the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlaɪən/ and the British form is /ˈlaɪən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.