Learn How to Pronounce lead
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How to pronounce:
lead
Definition:
(nou) an advantage held by a competitor in a race (nou) a soft heavy toxic malleable metallic element; bluish white when freshly cut but tarnishes readily to dull grey (nou) evidence pointing to a possible solution (nou) a position of leadership (especially in the phrase `take the lead') (nou) the angle between the direction a gun is aimed and the position of a moving target (correcting for the flight time of the missile) (nou) the introductory section of a story (nou) the score by which a team or individual is winning (nou) an actor who plays a principal role (nou) the position taken by a base runner preparing to advance to the next base (nou) an indication of potential opportunity (nou) a news story of major importance (nou) the timing of ignition relative to the position of the piston in an internal-combustion engine (nou) restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal (nou) thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing (nou) mixture of graphite with clay in different degrees of hardness; the marking substance in a pencil (nou) a jumper that consists of a short piece of wire (nou) the playing of a card to start a trick in bridge
Phonetic Transcription:
liːd
Examples:
In the top of the inning, Venezuela rallied to take the lead.
Newport quickly retook the lead in the top of the seventh.
The lead is the most accessible part of the article as it is at the top.
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Common mistakes of lead pronunciation
- Mispronouncing "lead" as "leed": This mistake occurs when the pronunciation is confused with the verb form, which is pronounced /liːd/. Tip: Remember that "lead" as a noun is pronounced /lɛd/ in both US and UK English.
- Ignoring the vowel sound: Some may pronounce "lead" with an unclear vowel sound, making it sound like "ləd". This can lead to misunderstandings. Tip: Focus on the clear short "e" as in /lɛd/ to ensure clarity.
- Stressing the wrong syllable: Stressing the second syllable can lead to confusion with the verb form. "Lead" as a noun should be pronounced with primary stress on the first syllable. Tip: Always emphasize the "l" and "e" in "lead" (/lɛd/).
- Confusing "lead" with "lead" (the metal): The noun "lead" (the metal) is pronounced /lɛd/, while the verb "lead" is pronounced /liːd/. This can be confusing. Tip: Context is key; pay attention to the surrounding words to determine the correct pronunciation.
- Overemphasizing the "d" sound: Some might pronounce "lead" too harshly, making it sound overly clipped. This can detract from the word's natural flow. Tip: Aim for a smooth, soft ending to maintain the word's overall rhythm.