How to Pronounce Cleave

To pronounce "cleave", say CLEAV-e — 2 syllables, IPA /kliːv/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

cleave

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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2

Syllables

6

Letters

/kliːv/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “cleave”

"cleave" has 2 syllables: cleav-e. It rhymes with naive and heave, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: cleve, kleve — easy to mix up when writing.

What does cleave mean?

noun

  1. Flat, smooth surface produced by cleavage, or any similar surface produced by similar techniques, as in glass.

verb

  1. To split or sever something with, or as if with, a sharp instrument.

    “The wings cleaved the foggy air.”

  2. To break a single crystal (such as a gemstone or semiconductor wafer) along one of its more symmetrical crystallographic planes (often by impact), forming facets on the resulting pieces.

Hear “cleave” 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 cleave

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

naiveheavereprieveconceiveperceiverelievebelievereaveachieveeveweavereceive

Related words

rivesplitrendhewseveradherewedgeforcleave

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "cleave"?▾

"Cleave" has 2 syllables: cleav · e.

What is the IPA transcription of "cleave"?▾

The IPA transcription of "cleave" is /kliːv/.

What does "cleave" mean?▾

Cleave: Flat, smooth surface produced by cleavage, or any similar surface produced by similar techniques, as in glass.

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