How to Pronounce Lead

To pronounce "lead", say LEAD — one syllable, IPA /lɛd/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

lead

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

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1

Syllable

4

Letters

/lɛd/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “lead”

"lead" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with accede and dread, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: led, leed — easy to mix up when writing.

What does lead mean?

noun

  1. A heavy, pliable, inelastic metal element, having a bright, bluish color, but easily tarnished; both malleable and ductile, though with little tenacity. It is easily fusible, forms alloys with other metals, and is an ingredient of solder and type metal. Atomic number 82, symbol Pb (from Latin plumbum).
  2. A plummet or mass of lead attached to a line, used in sounding depth at sea or to estimate velocity in knots.

verb

  1. To cover, fill, or affect with lead

    “continuous firing leads the grooves of a rifle.”

  2. To place leads between the lines of.

    “leaded matter”

Hear “lead” 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 lead

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

accededreadconcedeimpedecedeheaddeadtreadheedprecedeneedbloodshed

Related words

windstarpbtipheadsteertetherchair

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "lead"?▾

"Lead" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "lead"?▾

The IPA transcription of "lead" is /lɛd/.

What does "lead" mean?▾

Lead: A heavy, pliable, inelastic metal element, having a bright, bluish color, but easily tarnished; both malleable and ductile, though with little tenacity. It is easily fusible, forms alloys with other metals, and is an ingredient of solder and type metal. Atomic number 82, symbol Pb (from Latin plumbum).

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