A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Leicester
The city of Leicester is pronounced LESS-ter, ignoring the spelling entirely. Do not pronounce the 'ice' sound.
leicester
LESS-ter
/ˈlɛstər/ · les · ter
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It also appears as a surname or in the names of various towns in the United States, which are almost universally pronounced the same way.
Where the word comes from
The name derives from the Old English 'Legore' (the name of the river) plus 'ceaster', meaning a Roman fort or walled city.
Common ways people get it wrong
- lie-CES-ter This is a common mistake based on reading the letters as they appear; simply drop the middle syllable entirely.
- LAY-ses-ter Avoid the 'lay' sound; the first vowel is a short 'e' as in 'less'.
Frequently asked
Is the 'ice' in Leicester silent?
Yes, the 'ice' portion is completely silent. You should pronounce the word as if it were spelled 'Lester'.
Why is Leicester spelled that way if it is not pronounced like it looks?
The spelling reflects its historical roots as a Roman fort, or 'ceaster', which evolved over centuries into the modern pronunciation. English place names often retain archaic spellings that no longer match their spoken form.
Do Americans pronounce Leicester differently than the British?
No, the pronunciation is consistent across both American and British English. Whether you are in the UK or the US, it is always pronounced 'LESS-ter'.
How do British people pronounce Leicester?
British people typically pronounce Leicester as 'LES-ter'. The first 'e' is short, and the 'ce' is silent.
Why is Leicester pronounced as Lester?
The pronunciation of Leicester as 'Lester' is a historical simplification. Over time, the 'ce' sound was dropped, leaving the more common 'Lester' pronunciation.
What is the pronunciation of Leicester in American English?
American English speakers often pronounce Leicester similarly to the British, as 'LES-ter'. Some may attempt a closer approximation of the spelling, but 'Lester' is widely understood.
How to pronounce Leicestershire?
Leicestershire is pronounced 'LES-ter-sher'. The 'shire' ending is pronounced as written, with a short 'i' sound.
