Learn English – Pronunciation of “lever”

pronunciation

You can hear different pronunciations of the mechanical component lever. Sometimes it is pronounced with an i-sound, similar as in "leave", and other times you hear it with a clear e-sound almost as in "heavy".
Why is that? I doubt it could be explained by regional or personal differencies, since the same person can shift between the pronunciations. My guess is, that this difference lies in where the lever is in use. I haven't been able to see any clear pattern, though.

Best Answer

US speakers tend to say the first 'e' of 'lever' as in bet, bed, met, etc, while speakers in the British English zone say that same syllable as the 'ea' in leave, meat, heat, etc. To Brits it sounds as if Americans are saying 'levver'.

"since the same person can shift between the pronunciations".

This is very unusual. Native speakers tend to be consistent in pronouncing this word.

'Lever' US & British pronunciation examples