How to pronounce valet
Say it like va-LAY. Valet has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAY).
- va
- LAY
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: Americans drop the t ('va-LAY'); Britons often keep it ('VAL-it').
Valet pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- vaKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- LAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of valet
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 1.
British respelling: VAL-ay.
What does valet mean?
- A man's personal male attendant, responsible for his clothes and appearance.
- A hotel employee performing such duties for guests.
- A female performer in professional wrestling, acting as either a manager or personal chaperone; often used to attract and titillate male members of the audience.
- To serve (someone) as a valet.
- To clean and service (a car), as a valet does.
- To leave (a car) with a valet to park it.
Where does valet come from?
Borrowed from Middle French valet, from Old French vaslet, from Medieval Latin *vassellittus, diminutive of Late Latin vassallus (“manservant, domestic, retainer”), from vassus (“servant”), from Gaulish *wassos (“young man, squire”), from P
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with valet
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of valet.
Questions about saying valet
How do you pronounce valet?
Say va-LAY. The American pronunciation is /væˈleɪ/. In British English it is /ˈvæleɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in valet?
Valet has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAY). Broken into parts: va · LAY.
Is valet pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 1. The British form is /ˈvæleɪ/ (VAL-ay).