How to pronounce purlieu
Say it like PUR-lyoo. Purlieu has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce purlieu. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PUR
- lyoo
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Purlieu pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- lyooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of purlieu
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PUR-lyoo.
What does purlieu mean?
- The outskirts of any place; an adjacent district; the environs or neighborhood; milieu.
Where does purlieu come from?
From Middle English purlewe (“piece of land on the edge of a forest”), modification under the influence of Old French lieu (“place”) of porale, purale (“royal perambulation”), from Old French porale, from poraler (“to traverse”), from por-
Questions about saying purlieu
How do you pronounce purlieu?
Say PUR-lyoo. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɝlju/. In British English it is /ˈpɜːljuː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in purlieu?
Purlieu has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUR). Broken into parts: PUR · lyoo.
Is purlieu 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 /ˈpɜːljuː/ (PUR-lyoo).