How to Pronounce Lieutenant

To pronounce "lieutenant", say lieut-EN-ant — 3 syllables, IPA /ɫuˈtɛnənt/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

lieutenant

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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3

Syllables

10

Letters

/ɫuˈtɛnənt/

🇺🇸 IPA (US)

/lɛftˈɛnənt/

🇬🇧 IPA (UK)

💡 Tip for remembering “lieutenant”

Break "lieutenant" into 3 beats and lean on "EN" — that's the stressed one. It rhymes with tenant and pennant, if that helps it stick.

What does lieutenant mean?

noun

  1. The lowest Junior Commissioned Officer rank(s) in many military forces, often Army and Marines.
  2. A person who manages or executes the plans and directives of another, more senior person - i.e. a manager to his director.

adjective

  1. A military grade that is junior to the grade the adjective modifies: lieutenant colonel, lieutenant general, lieutenant commander.

Synonyms

LTLT.LieutLieut.Lt.lieutlieut.

Words that rhyme with lieutenant

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

tenantpennanttennanttennent

Related words

deputysergeantsub-lieutenantlieutenant-colonelcorpslieutensigncommander

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "lieutenant"?▾

"Lieutenant" has 3 syllables: lieut · en · ant.

What is the IPA transcription of "lieutenant"?▾

The IPA transcription of "lieutenant" is /ɫuˈtɛnənt/.

What does "lieutenant" mean?▾

Lieutenant: The lowest Junior Commissioned Officer rank(s) in many military forces, often Army and Marines.

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