How to pronounce pledge
Say it like PLEJ. Pledge is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- PLEJ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pledge pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PLEJSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of pledge
American and British speakers say pledge in essentially the same way: /plɛdʒ/ in the US and /plɛdʒ/ in the UK.
British respelling: PLEJ.
What does pledge mean?
- To make a solemn promise (to do something).“pledge allegiance to the flag”
- To deposit something as a security; to pawn.
- To give assurance of friendship by the act of drinking; to drink to one's health.
- A solemn promise to do something.
- A promise to abstain from drinking alcohol.
- An asset or person temporarily handed over to guarantee the fulfilment of something promised, under threat of permanent loss of the thing handed over; surety, security, hostage.
Where does pledge come from?
From Middle English plege, from Anglo-Norman plege, from Old French plege (Modern French pleige) from Medieval Latin plevium, plebium, from plebiō (“to pledge”), from Frankish *plehan (“to pledge; to support; to guarantee”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with pledge
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of pledge.
Questions about saying pledge
How do you pronounce pledge?
Say PLEJ. The American pronunciation is /plɛdʒ/. In British English it is /plɛdʒ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pledge?
Pledge is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: PLEJ.
Do Americans and Brits say pledge the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /plɛdʒ/ and the British form is /plɛdʒ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.