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How do you spell Lieutenant?

Correct spelling

lieutenant

LIEUT + EN + ANT. Tricky pronunciation.

Why is lieutenant spelled this way?

From French lieu tenant, place holder. LIEU (place) + TENANT (holding). Someone holding the place of a superior. The British pronounce it 'leftenant' despite the spelling — one of English's great mysteries.

Common misspellings of lieutenant

leftenantleutenantlieutenentleiutenant

Example

The lieutenant reported to the captain.

Frequently asked questions

How do you spell lieutenant?+
The correct spelling is "lieutenant". LIEUT + EN + ANT. Tricky pronunciation.
Is it leftenant or lieutenant?+
The correct spelling is "lieutenant", not "leftenant". This word gets 8,000+ monthly searches.

Other commonly misspelled words

grotesque gruyère guacamole guarantee

More spelling guides

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