How to pronounce Raleigh
Say it like RAW-lee. Raleigh has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RAW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Raleigh. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- RAW
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Raleigh pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of Raleigh
American and British speakers say Raleigh in essentially the same way: /ˈrɔli/ in the US and /ˈrɔːli/ in the UK.
British respelling: RAW-lee.
What does Raleigh mean?
- English courtier (a favorite of Elizabeth I) who tried to colonize Virginia; introduced potatoes and tobacco to England (1552-1618)
- capital of the state of North Carolina; located in the east central part of the North Carolina
Words that rhyme with Raleigh
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of Raleigh.
Questions about saying Raleigh
How do you pronounce Raleigh?
Say RAW-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈrɔli/. In British English it is /ˈrɔːli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Raleigh?
Raleigh has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RAW). Broken into parts: RAW · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say Raleigh the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈrɔli/ and the British form is /ˈrɔːli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.