How to pronounce sheaf
Say it like SHEEF. Sheaf is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sheaf. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SHEEF
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sheaf pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHEEFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of sheaf
American and British speakers say sheaf in essentially the same way: /ʃif/ in the US and /ʃiːf/ in the UK.
British respelling: SHEEF.
What does sheaf mean?
- A quantity of the stalks and ears of wheat, rye, or other grain, bound together; a bundle of grain or straw.
- Any collection of things bound together.“a sheaf of paper”
- A bundle of arrows sufficient to fill a quiver, or the allowance of each archer.
- To gather and bind into a sheaf; to make into sheaves“to sheaf wheat”
- To collect and bind cut grain, or the like; to make sheaves.
Where does sheaf come from?
Akin to West Frisian skeaf (“sheaf”), Dutch schoof (“sheaf”), German Schaub, Old Norse skauf (“a fox's tail”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with sheaf
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sheaf.
Questions about saying sheaf
How do you pronounce sheaf?
Say SHEEF. The American pronunciation is /ʃif/. In British English it is /ʃiːf/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sheaf?
Sheaf is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SHEEF.
Do Americans and Brits say sheaf the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ʃif/ and the British form is /ʃiːf/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.