English pronunciation · Words Starting with L
Lest Pronunciation
Lest is pronounced LEST, IPA /ˈlɛst/.
LEST
US /ˈlɛst/ · UK /ˈlɛst/
Syllables: LEST (1 syllable)
conjunction: In case something unwanted should happen.
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Lest in a Sentence
- She wrote it down lest she forget.
- They said nothing, lest the deal fall through.
- Lest we forget is carved on the memorial.
Common Mispronunciations of Lest
Not LEEST
The vowel is short, which keeps the word apart from least. The two are easy to confuse because both turn up in formal writing.
Not LES
Finish on the t. Without it the word becomes less, and the sentence stops making sense.
Tip: Lest is followed by a bare verb, as in lest he forget, which is one of the last places English still uses the subjunctive.
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