2 syllables: Leath, er. Stress on Leath.
LETH-ur
/ˈlɛðɚ/
Leather is pronounced LETH-ur (/ˈlɛðɚ/). It has two syllables (Leath-er), with the stress on "Leath". Leather refers to a material produced by tanning animal hides to preserve and soften them, often used in clothing, accessories, and furniture. It can describe items made from such material or, in some contexts, the hides themselves. The term also appears in idioms and phrases related to resilience or toughness.
nounLeather refers to a material produced by tanning animal hides to preserve and soften them, often used in clothing, accessories, and furniture. It can describe items made from such material or, in some contexts, the hides themselves. The term also appears in idioms and phrases related to resilience or toughness.
"She bought a black leather jacket for the winter."
"The sofa was covered in weathered leather that aged beautifully."
"He wore a pair of brown leather boots on the hike."
US: /ˈlɛðər/ with primary stress on the first syllable; UK/AU often reduce the final /r/ in casual speech, approximating /ˈlɛðə/. The first vowel is a lax open-mid /ɛ/ as in 'bed,' the second is a schwa. Tip: keep the /ð/ as a voiced dental fricative between /l/ and /ə/. Listen to native pronunciation on Forvo or a dictionary audio to mirror the exact phonetic flow.
Two frequent errors: (1) Substituting /l/ with a light onset or not releasing the /ð/ properly, and (2) over-pronouncing the final /r/ in non-rhotic dialects. Correction: ensure a clear alveolar, voiced dental fricative /ð/ between /l/ and schwa; allow the /ə/ to be unstressed and short. In rhotic accents, cap the final /ɹ/; in non-rhotic accents, drop the /ɹ/ or let it slightly vanish, so the word ends with a soft schwa. Practice with slow sequences to stabilize the middle consonant cluster.
US: rhotic with /ˈlɛðər/; UK: often non-rhotic, sounding /ˈlɛðə/ or /ˈleðə/ depending on speaker; AU: typically non-rhotic as well, closer to UK with light final /ə/. The crucial differences lie in rhoticity and vowel quality; US keeps /ɹ/ in many contexts, UK/AU may lose or weaken it, and the second vowel shifts toward a schwa. Listen for the final vowel reduction and the dental fricative /ð/ stability across dialects.
Two main challenges: the /ð/ sound (voiced dental fricative) is uncommon in some languages and can be substituted with /d/ or /z/, and the vowel reduction in the second syllable varies (schwa vs. a more closed vowel). Additionally, the sequence /ðər/ demands a smooth transition from a voiced dental fricative to a rhotacized or neutral vowel, which can disrupt rhythm for non-native speakers. Focus on dental place of articulation and a relaxed, quick transition into the schwa.
In many contexts, you’ll want to ensure /ð/ remains clearly audible between /l/ and /ə/. The word begins with a light, flat L (/l/), then a relaxed, voiced dental fricative /ð/ as in 'this,' followed by a reduced vowel /ə/ or /ɚ/ in rhotic accents. In careful speech, emphasize two distinct syllables, LEH-ther, but let the second vowel stay soft in non-rhotic dialects. Pay attention to mouth position: tip of the tongue lightly between teeth, a relaxed jaw, and a gentle airflow for /ð/.
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Leather comes from Old English leðer, which originally referred to animal hide used for clothing and equipment. The word shares roots with the Proto-Germanic leþrô and Proto-Indo-European *le-thro-, relating to skin or hide. Historically, processing hides into usable material involved curing, scraping, and tanning to prevent decay and introduce flexibility. Over time, the term broadened to describe the material itself rather than the animal hide, and in modern English it denotes both the substance and items crafted from it, from belts to furniture. By the Middle Ages, leather goods were essential trade commodities across Europe, with specialized tanneries in many towns. The word’s meaning evolved alongside tanning techniques, from harsh, utilitarian hides to refined, decorative leathers used in fashion and upholstery. First known written uses appear in early medieval texts, with later growth in manufacturing and fashion literature as leather goods gained prominence in everyday life and commerce.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Leather" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Leather" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Leather"
-her sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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