3 syllables: Les, bi, an. Stress on Les.
LEZ-bee-uhn
/ˈlɛzbiən/
Lesbian is pronounced LEZ-bee-uhn (/ˈlɛzbiən/). It has three syllables (Les-bi-an), with the stress on "Les". Lesbian is an adjective used to describe a woman who is romantically and/or sexually attracted to other women; it can also function as a noun in reference to someone who identifies as lesbian. It carries social and cultural associations that vary by context, including dating, activism, and identity communities. The term has been part of English since the early 20th century and remains a central label in LGBTQ+ discourse.
adjectiveLesbian is an adjective used to describe a woman who is romantically and/or sexually attracted to other women; it can also function as a noun in reference to someone who identifies as lesbian. It carries social and cultural associations that vary by context, including dating, activism, and identity communities. The term has been part of English since the early 20th century and remains a central label in LGBTQ+ discourse.
"She wrote an essay about lesbian relationships in contemporary media."
"The club hosts events for lesbian and queer women."
"She identifies as a lesbian and advocates for LGBTQ+ rights."
Pronounce it as /ˈlɛᴢ.bi.ən/ in American and British English. The primary stress is on the first syllable: LEZ-bi-ən. The middle consonant is a voiced 'z' sound, not a 'z' from 'azure'. End with a neutral schwa or a light 'ən'. Practice with: LES-bee-ən, emphasizing the first syllable and keeping the 'bi' clearly separated from the final unstressed syllable.
Common traps include: 1) Misplacing stress, saying le-SEE-bi-ən; 2) Slurring the middle 'z' into a 'z' like in 'leisure' leading to /ˈlɛzˌbiən/ instead of /ˈlɛz.bi.ən/. 3) Dropping the final unstressed syllable or turning it into a clear 'an' instead of a schwa; keep /ən/. Correct by: marking the /ˈlɛz.bi.ən/ with even syllables, practicing slow, then normal pace, and using minimal pairs to stabilize the middle and final sounds.
In US/UK, the initial /ˈlɛz/ remains similar with a clear 'ez' as in 'lez'; the middle /bi/ is a short, clipped syllable. UK speakers may release slightly more vowel fullness in the first syllable; US rhoticity doesn’t affect the 'r' here since there’s none. Australian pronunciation keeps similar vowels but may have slightly more centralized final /ən/ or a shorter /ɪ/ in some speakers. All share primary stress on the first syllable; the main variability is vowel quality and final syllable reduction.
Difficulty stems from three features: a strong initial unstressed-to-stressed pattern requiring precise onset /l/ and /lɛz/; a medial /z/ that sits between vowel sounds, which can blur if rushed; and a final unstressed /ən/ that often reduces. Non-native speakers may over-articulate the final syllable or substitute /ɪ/ or /i/ for /ən/. Focus on clear onset, even syllable weight, and a relaxed but precise final schwa to improve accuracy.
In casual speech, many say /ˈlɛzbiən/ with the middle vowel a shade shorter and the final /ən/ barely voiced; some run the syllables together: /ˈlɛzbɪən/ or /ˈlɛzbiə/. To keep clarity, maintain the three-syllable pattern with a stable /ˈlɛz/ onset and a crisp /bi/ before the reduced final /ən/. Practicing slow, then natural pace helps your listener hear the intended meaning in regular conversation.
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Lesbian originates from the Greek island of Lesbos, home to the poet Sappho, whose verses depicted romantic love between women. The term entered English usage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a descriptor for women attracted to women, drawing from the toponym Lesbos (Lesbos in modern Greek, Mytilene). Early English usage often appeared as 'Lesbian' or 'Lesbite' in oblique references to Sappho’s sexuality; by the 20th century, it became a widely used noun and adjective within medical, literary, and later LGBTQ+ communities. The word’s popularization paralleled social movements that sought to reclaim and normalize same-sex relationships among women. Today, Lesbian is standard in both clinical discussions of sexual orientation and in everyday self-identification, though some contexts use more specific terms based on gender identity, culture, or subculture. First known print appearance as an adjective describing women attracted to women dates from the early 1900s; by mid-century, the noun form solidified in medical and cultural lexicons, with evolving connotations influenced by feminism and LGBTQ+ rights developments. The term’s acceptability can vary by region and community, with some preferring identity labels like 'lesbian' as a self-descriptor, while others might choose broader terms such as 'queer' in certain contexts.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Lesbian" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Lesbian" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Lesbian" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Lesbian"
-son sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
