How to Pronounce Cleaves

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

cleaves

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 cleaves, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

2

Syllables

7

Letters

/kliːvz/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “cleaves”

"cleaves" has 2 syllables: cleav-es. It rhymes with believes and leaves, if that helps it stick.

What does cleaves mean?

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.

verb

  1. To cling, adhere or stick fast to something; used with to or unto.

Words that rhyme with cleaves

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

believesleavessheavespeevesperceivesheavesthievesinterleavesevesrelievesretrievesachieves

Related words

rivesplitpresabindsmergespenetratesbifurcatesetches

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "cleaves"?▾

"Cleaves" has 2 syllables: cleav · es.

What is the IPA transcription of "cleaves"?▾

The IPA transcription of "cleaves" is /kliːvz/.

What does "cleaves" mean?▾

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

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

Open “cleaves” in the full dictionary →