How to pronounce sleeve
Say it like SLEEV. Sleeve 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 sleeve. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SLEEV
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sleeve pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SLEEVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of sleeve
American and British speakers say sleeve in essentially the same way: /sliv/ in the US and /sliːv/ in the UK.
British respelling: SLEEV.
What does sleeve mean?
- the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
- small case into which an object fits
Where does sleeve come from?
The Canadian sense of “measure smaller than a pint” is due to a former conflict between federal law and provincial law in British Columbia.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with sleeve
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sleeve.
Questions about saying sleeve
How do you pronounce sleeve?
Say SLEEV. The American pronunciation is /sliv/. In British English it is /sliːv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sleeve?
Sleeve is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SLEEV.
Do Americans and Brits say sleeve the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /sliv/ and the British form is /sliːv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.