How to pronounce accentuate
Say it like uk-SEN-choo-ayt. Accentuate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce accentuate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uk
- SEN
- choo
- ayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Accentuate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ukKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- chooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- aytKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of accentuate
American and British speakers say accentuate in essentially the same way: /əkˈsɛntʃueɪt/ in the US and /əkˈsɛntʃueɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: uk-SEN-choo-ayt.
What does accentuate mean?
- To pronounce with an accent or vocal stress.
- To bring out distinctly; to make more noticeable or prominent; to emphasize.
- To mark with a written accent.
Where does accentuate come from?
First attested in 1731; borrowed from Medieval Latin accentuātus, perfect passive participle of accentuō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from Latin accentus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying accentuate
How do you pronounce accentuate?
Say uk-SEN-choo-ayt. The American pronunciation is /əkˈsɛntʃueɪt/. In British English it is /əkˈsɛntʃueɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in accentuate?
Accentuate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEN). Broken into parts: uk · SEN · choo · ayt.
Do Americans and Brits say accentuate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əkˈsɛntʃueɪt/ and the British form is /əkˈsɛntʃueɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.