Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

lapel

/ləˈpɛl/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.77 in modern English

Syllables: lapel
IPA: /ləˈpɛl/

7

Scrabble Score

5

Letters

2

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Each of the two triangular pieces of cloth on the front of a jacket or coat that are folded back below the throat, leaving a triangular opening between.

Example Sentences

"His sister, Mrs. Gerard, stood there in carriage gown and sables, radiant with surprise. ¶ “Phil ! You ! Exactly like you, Philip, to come strolling in from the antipodes—dear fellow !” recovering from the fraternal embrace and holding both lapels of his coat in her gloved hands."

Etymology

From lap + -el (“diminutive suffix”).

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ləˈpɛl/
British English: /ləˈpɛl/

Inflected Forms

lapels (plural) lapelle (alternative, obsolete) lappel (alternative, obsolete)

Derived Forms

lapeled lapelled lapelless

Phrases

grab by the lapels lapel mic lapel pin

Rhymes With

well tell hell sell hotel cell fell bell el personnel nfl smell

Questions

How do you pronounce lapel?: The recorded pronunciation is /ləˈpɛl/.
What does lapel mean?: Each of the two triangular pieces of cloth on the front of a jacket or coat that are folded back below the throat, leaving a triangular opening between.
Where does lapel come from?: From lap + -el (“diminutive suffix”).

How to pronounce lapel

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “lapel”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ləˈpɛl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “lapel”.
Repeat and practice — Say “lapel” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.