Learn How to Pronounce lift

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lift

Definition:

(nou) the act of giving temporary assistance (nou) the component of the aerodynamic forces acting on an airfoil that opposes gravity (nou) the event of something being raised upward (nou) a wave that lifts the surface of the water or ground (nou) a powered conveyance that carries skiers up a hill (nou) a device worn in a shoe or boot to make the wearer look taller or to correct a shortened leg (nou) one of the layers forming the heel of a shoe or boot (nou) lifting device consisting of a platform or cage that is raised and lowered mechanically in a vertical shaft in order to move people from one floor to another in a building (nou) plastic surgery to remove wrinkles and other signs of aging from your face; an incision is made near the hair line and skin is pulled back and excess tissue is excised (nou) transportation of people or goods by air (especially when other means of access are unavailable) (nou) a ride in a car (nou) the act of raising something

Phonetic Transcription:

lɪft

Examples:

The standing calf raise is performed by flexing the feet to lift the body.

Controls for the lift are mounted on the tiller.

Let the administration lift the restriction.

Learn more about:
lift

Related Words:

raise

rise

How to perfect your pronunciation of: lift

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Common mistakes of lift pronunciation

Misplacing the vowel sound: Many learners pronounce "lift" with an incorrect vowel sound, saying "leeft" instead of the correct IPA /lɪft/ in both US and UK English. Tip: Focus on the short "i" sound, as in "sit".
Overemphasizing the "t": Some people stress the "t" in "lift" too much, making it sound like "lifT" with a strong emphasis. In IPA, it should be /lɪft/ with a softer "t". Tip: Keep the "t" light and quick.
Dropping the final consonant: A common mistake is to drop the "t" at the end, pronouncing it as "lif". This alters the meaning and is not standard in IPA /lɪft/. Tip: Always pronounce the final consonant to maintain clarity.
Confusing with similar words: Learners sometimes confuse "lift" with "left", pronouncing it as "left" instead of the correct "lift". The IPA for "left" is /lɛft/. Tip: Pay attention to the vowel sounds to distinguish between the two.
Incorrect syllable stress: Some might incorrectly stress "lift" as if it were a two-syllable word, saying "lifft". However, "lift" is a one-syllable word, IPA /lɪft/. Tip: Remember that it has only one syllable and keep it concise.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "lift" in American English?

In American English, "lift" is pronounced as /lɪft/. The primary stress is on the single syllable, making it sound crisp and clear.

What is the British pronunciation of "lift"?

In British English, "lift" is also pronounced as /lɪft/, similar to the American pronunciation. The single syllable and stress remain consistent across both dialects.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "lift"?

One common mistake is to mispronounce the vowel sound, saying "leafed" instead of "lift." Remember that the vowel in "lift" is a short "i" sound, as in "bit."

Does "lift" have any homophones or minimal pairs?

Yes, "lift" has a minimal pair with "lifted," where the latter has an additional syllable. The stress and vowel sounds differ, but both words share the initial consonant cluster.