Proper Pronunciation Guide

lieutenant

[lu tɛ nənt]

Tips:

  • Pronounce the letters “ieu” as
    /u/.
  • Stress the second syllable and pronounce the second and third syllables together like the word ‘tenant”—a person who rents.

Practice Sentences:

 He was a lieutenant in the United States Army.
The lieutenant colonel suddenly appeared in the barracks.
At one time John Kerry was lieutenant governor of Massachusetts.

Definition:

  • (noun) A military rank above that of major.

Notes:

In Britain, this word is pronounced [lɛf tɛ nənt], except in the Navy, where it is pronounced as shown above.

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