How to Pronounce “lever”

American (US)

/ˈlevər/

British (UK)

/ˈliːvə/

Australian (AU)

/ˈliː.və/

noun — A rigid bar that pivots to move a load, or any means of exerting pressure.

Example: Pull the lever all the way down.

Where the stress falls. “lever” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈlevər/ 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. /ˈlevər/ 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 "lever" mean?

lever (noun): A rigid bar that pivots to move a load, or any means of exerting pressure. For example — Pull the lever all the way down.

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

American English: /ˈlevər/. British English: /ˈliːvə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "lever"?

/ˈlevər/ in American English, /ˈliːvə/ in British English, /ˈliː.və/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "lever"?

“lever” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈlevər/ 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 Finance Terms — Money Words, With Audio

Fiduciary, amortize, leverage, portfolio and entrepreneur — the French final stress, the US/UK vowel splits, and the one word everyone overcomplicates.

• US vs UK vowel words