How to pronounce accelerator

Q: How do you pronounce accelerator?

Say ak-SEL-uh-ray-ter. The American pronunciation is /ækˈsɛləˌreɪtɚ/. In British English it is /ækˈsɛləˌreɪtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.

Say it like ak-SEL-uh-ray-ter. Accelerator has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEL).

VoiceSpeed

US American/ækˈsɛləˌreɪtɚ/ak-SEL-uh-ray-ter

UK British/ækˈsɛləˌreɪtə/ak-SEL-uh-ray-tuh

Main stress
Lighter stress
Unstressed

Accelerator pronunciation, sound by sound

Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.

akKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
SELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
rayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.

American vs British pronunciation of accelerator

Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.

British respelling: ak-SEL-uh-ray-tuh.

What does accelerator mean?

noun

One who, or that which, accelerates.“The Second World War is said to have been a great accelerator for many scientific findings.”
A device for causing acceleration.
A substance which speeds up chemical reactions.

Where does accelerator come from?

* accelerate + -or

Similar and opposite words

Similar meaning

gas
throttle
accelerator pedal
gas pedal
gun
throttle valve
catalyst
particle accelerator

Questions about saying accelerator

How do you pronounce accelerator?

Say ak-SEL-uh-ray-ter. The American pronunciation is /ækˈsɛləˌreɪtɚ/. In British English it is /ækˈsɛləˌreɪtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.

How many syllables are in accelerator?

Accelerator has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEL). Broken into parts: ak · SEL · uh · ray · ter.

Is accelerator pronounced differently in British English?

Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ækˈsɛləˌreɪtə/ (ak-SEL-uh-ray-tuh).