English pronunciation · Words Starting with L

Lesbian Pronunciation

Lesbian is pronounced LEZ-bee-uhn, IPA /ˈlɛzbiən/.

LEZ-bee-uhn

US /ˈlɛzbiən/  ·  UK /ˈlɛsbiən/

Syllables: LEZ · bee · uhn (3 syllables, stress on syllable 1)

noun and adjective: A woman who is attracted to other women.

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Lesbian in a Sentence

  • She has written two books on lesbian history.
  • The group runs a lesbian film night.
  • Her aunt is a lesbian.

Common Mispronunciations of Lesbian

Not LES-bee-uhn

American dictionaries buzz that s into a z, LEZ-bee-uhn, while British ones keep the hiss.

Not les-BEE-uhn

LEZ holds the volume, and bee-uhn follows quietly.

Tip: The word comes from Lesbos, the Greek island where the poet Sappho lived.

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