How to pronounce “like”

Like is pronounced /ˈlaɪk/. It has 1 syllable. Below: the syllable split, native audio in both accents, the mistake people actually make with this word, and every individual sound in it explained.

Syllables and stress

Split it into 1 beat. It is a single beat — one vowel, said in one push of breath.

Stress pattern O — capital letters mark the stressed beats.

“like” sound by sound

“like” is built out of 3 sounds. Say each one on its own first, slowly, then run them together at speed. Every sound links to a full guide with mouth position, the mistake learners make with it, and other words that use it.

• l
  /l/ — L sound

  Touch the tongue tip to the ridge behind the upper teeth and let the voiced air flow around the sides of the tongue.
• aɪ
  /aɪ/ — long I (PRICE)

  Start with the mouth open at an /a/-like position and glide up toward /ɪ/, closing the jaw as you go.
• k
  /k/ — voiceless velar stop

  Raise the back of the tongue to touch the soft palate, seal the air, then release it with a puff.

Silent letters in “like”

Letters you write but never say — this is the single biggest reason the word trips people up:

• e
  The letter “e”

  Silent final “e” (it lengthens the vowel instead) — write it, but do not let it reach your mouth.

Words that rhyme with “like”

Same ending sound from the stressed vowel on — a good way to hear whether you have the vowel right:

Minimal pairs — words one sound away from “like”

Each of these differs from “like” by exactly one sound. If you can say both of a pair and hear the difference, that sound is under control:

Questions people ask about “like”

How do you pronounce “like”?

“like” is pronounced /ˈlaɪk/. Press the US or UK button above to hear it spoken.

How many syllables are in “like”?

“like” has 1 syllable. The stress pattern is O.

Does “like” have any silent letters?

Yes — silent final “e” (it lengthens the vowel instead).

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The sounds inside this word

Words next to “like” in the guide

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