How to Pronounce Plague

To pronounce "plague", say PLAG-ue — 2 syllables, IPA /pleɪɡ/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

plague

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

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Syllables

Letters

/pleɪɡ/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “plague”

"plague" has 2 syllables: plag-ue. It rhymes with vague and craig, if that helps it stick.

What does plague mean?

noun

(often used with the, sometimes capitalized: the Plague) The bubonic plague, the pestilent disease caused by the virulent bacterium Yersinia pestis.
An epidemic or pandemic caused by any pestilence, but specifically by the above disease.

verb

To harass, pester or annoy someone persistently or incessantly.
To afflict with a disease or other calamity.
“Natural catastrophes plagued the colonists till they abandoned the pestilent marshland.”

Synonyms

pest pestilence

Hear “plague” 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 plague

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

vague craig amoskeag baig begue flaig hague haig laphroaig maciag mccague mccaig

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "plague"?▾

"Plague" has 2 syllables: plag · ue.

What is the IPA transcription of "plague"?▾

The IPA transcription of "plague" is /pleɪɡ/.

What does "plague" mean?▾

Plague: (often used with the, sometimes capitalized: the Plague) The bubonic plague, the pestilent disease caused by the virulent bacterium Yersinia pestis.

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