2 syllables: Lay, er. Stress on Lay.
LAY-ur
/ˈleɪɚ/
Layer is pronounced LAY-ur (/ˈleɪɚ/). It has two syllables (Lay-er), with the stress on "Lay". Layer (noun) refers to a flat sheet or level laid on or between other things, often forming a tier or coat. It can describe a level in a structure, a layer of clothing, or a coating in processes like cooking or manufacturing. In biology, it denotes a stratum of cells or tissue. The term emphasizes stacking or covering elements to create depth or organization.
nounLayer (noun) refers to a flat sheet or level laid on or between other things, often forming a tier or coat. It can describe a level in a structure, a layer of clothing, or a coating in processes like cooking or manufacturing. In biology, it denotes a stratum of cells or tissue. The term emphasizes stacking or covering elements to create depth or organization.
"She added a new layer of paint to the canvas."
"The cake has three layers of sponge and cream."
"Scientists studied the cellular layer of the skin."
You pronounce it as /ˈleɪər/ in US and /ˈleɪə/ in many UK varieties, with primary stress on the first syllable. The first syllable uses the diphthong /eɪ/ as in 'bait,' followed by a schwa or reduced /ə/ in the second syllable. In fast speech you might hear /ˈleɪə/ with a lighter second syllable. Listen for the gentle, almost breathing sound on the second syllable's nucleus.
Common errors include reducing the first syllable to a simple /la/ without the /eɪ/ diphthong, producing /ˈlæɚ/ or /ˈlaɚ/. Another mistake is adding a strong /r/ in British non-rhotic speech, producing /ˈleɪɹə/ instead of /ˈleɪər/. Finally, learners may fully enunciate the second syllable as a strong /əɹ/; aim for a lighter nucleus and a softer, quicker second syllable.
In US English, /ˈleɪər/ with a rhotic /r/ at the end, often a schwa or reduced /ər/. UK English typically /ˈleɪə/ or /ˈleɪəɹ/ depending on rhoticity; non-rhotic varieties may drop the /r/ or soften it. Australian English is /ˈleɪə/ with a clear but short second syllable and a slightly longer /eɪ/ vowel. Focus on the first syllable diphthong /eɪ/, and the second syllable varying in duration and rhotic presence by region.
The difficulty lies in the two-syllable structure where you must both sustain the /eɪ/ diphthong and transition smoothly into a reduced second syllable, often with a subtle /ər/ or /ə/. Learners also struggle with the final rhotic or non-rhotic ending depending on their accent. Practicing the glide from /eɪ/ to a quick /ər/ or /ə/ helps achieve natural flow and avoids a clipped finish.
Layer has primary stress on the first syllable, but the second syllable can be very weak or reduced in casual speech. To sound natural, maintain a clear /eɪ/ on the first syllable and make the second syllable light and quick, almost a schwa. In some dialects, the /r/ becomes less pronounced or dropped entirely, so the word ends with a soft vowel rather than a pronounced rhotic consonant.
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Layer originates in Middle English from the verb layen meaning to place something down, related to Old English lægan and Old Norse laga. The semantic evolution moved from the act of placing to the noun describing something laid down in levels or sheets. The word is linked to the French word couche (coat, layer) in some contexts, though layer in English remained primarily about stacked strata. First attested in the 14th century, layer appeared in architectural and geological contexts to describe successive sheets or levels. Over time, its meaning broadened to include clothing (a layer of garments), biological tissue layers (epithelial layers), and general stratification in various domains (geology, meteorology, computer science as layered architectures). The core concept—an element placed atop or between others to create a regional or functional stack—remains central in its use today.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Layer" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Layer"
-yer sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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