How to Pronounce Alien

To pronounce "alien", say AL-ien — 2 syllables, IPA /ˈeɪ.li.ən/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

alien

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying alien, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

Syllables

Letters

/ˈeɪ.li.ən/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “alien”

"alien" has 2 syllables: al-ien. It rhymes with mammalian and thalian, if that helps it stick.

What does alien mean?

noun

Any life form of extraterrestrial or extradimensional origin.
A person, animal, plant, or other thing which is from outside the family, group, organization, or territory under consideration.

verb

To estrange; to alienate.
To transfer the ownership of something.

adjective

Not belonging to the same country, land, or government, or to the citizens or subjects thereof; foreign.
“alien subjects, enemies, property, or shores”
Very unfamiliar, strange, or removed.
“principles alien to our religion”

Synonyms

outlander fremd guest stranger

Hear “alien” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with alien

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

mammalian thalian calean kalian bachailian balian

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "alien"?▾

"Alien" has 2 syllables: al · ien.

What is the IPA transcription of "alien"?▾

The IPA transcription of "alien" is /ˈeɪ.li.ən/.

What does "alien" mean?▾

Alien: Any life form of extraterrestrial or extradimensional origin.

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “alien” in the full dictionary →