How to Pronounce “lieutenant”

American (US)

/luːˈtenənt/

British (UK)

/lefˈtenənt/

Australian (AU)

/lɛfˈtɛn.ənt/

noun — A junior military or police officer, or a person who acts as a deputy.

Example: The lieutenant took command when the captain fell ill.

Synonyms: deputy, second-in-command

Where the stress falls. “lieutenant” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /luːˈtenənt/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /luːˈtenənt/ 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 "lieutenant" mean?

lieutenant (noun): A junior military or police officer, or a person who acts as a deputy. For example — The lieutenant took command when the captain fell ill.

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

American English: /luːˈtenənt/. British English: /lefˈtenənt/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "lieutenant"?

/luːˈtenənt/ in American English, /lefˈtenənt/ in British English, /lɛfˈtɛn.ənt/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "lieutenant"?

“lieutenant” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /luːˈtenənt/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

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