Pronunciation guide

How to pronounce library

LY-brair-ee (US, three syllables) or LY-bree (UK, two)

US/ˈlaɪˌbɹɛɹ.i/

laɪbɹɛɹi

UK/ˈlaɪ.bɹi/

laɪbɹi

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Common mistake

Often said 'LY-berry', dropping the first 'r'; keep it - 'LY-brair-ee'.

What “library” means

An institution which holds books and/or other forms of media for use by the public or qualified people often lending them out, as well as providing various other services for its users.

Any institution that lends out its goods for use by the public or a community.

In a sentence

  • She borrowed the latest novel from the library.
  • The library houses a vast archive of historical documents.

Say it out loud a few times, then check yourself.

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Definitions and examples are derived from Wiktionary, used under CC BY-SA 4.0, then edited by QuickPronounce. Pronunciation data draws on CMUdict.