How to Pronounce Heave

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

heave

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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2

Syllables

5

Letters

/hiːv/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “heave”

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

What does heave mean?

noun

  1. An effort to raise something, such as a weight or one's own body, or to move something heavy.
  2. An upward motion; a rising; a swell or distention, as of the breast in difficult breathing, of the waves, of the earth in an earthquake, etc.

verb

  1. To lift with difficulty; to raise with some effort; to lift (a heavy thing).

    “We heaved the chest-of-drawers on to the second-floor landing.”

  2. To throw, cast.

    “The cap'n hove the body overboard.”

Hear “heave” 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 heave

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

naivereprieveconceiveperceivecleaverelievebelievereaveachieveeveweavereceive

Related words

surgeliftbuckleelevationraisebillowgagwarp

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "heave"?▾

"Heave" has 2 syllables: heav · e.

What is the IPA transcription of "heave"?▾

The IPA transcription of "heave" is /hiːv/.

What does "heave" mean?▾

Heave: An effort to raise something, such as a weight or one's own body, or to move something heavy.

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