How to Pronounce “Leicester”

American (US)

/ˈlɛstər/

British (UK)

/ˈlɛstə/

proper noun — A city, unitary authority, and borough in and the county town of Leicestershire, England.

Where the stress falls. “Leicester” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈlɛstər/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈlɛstər/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "Leicester" mean?

Leicester (proper noun): A city, unitary authority, and borough in and the county town of Leicestershire, England.

How do you pronounce "Leicester" in American vs British English?

American English: /ˈlɛstər/. British English: /ˈlɛstə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "Leicester"?

/ˈlɛstər/ in American English, /ˈlɛstə/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "Leicester"?

“Leicester” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈlɛstər/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

How to Pronounce Place Names — Leicester to Spokane, With Audio

Leicester, Norwich, Worcestershire, Loughborough, Edinburgh and Spokane — the collapsed English town names, the -shire rule, and the US towns that split them.

• UK place names