How to pronounce activate
Say it like AK-tuh-vayt. Activate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce activate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AK
- tuh
- vayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Activate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- vaytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of activate
American and British speakers say activate in essentially the same way: /ˈæktəˌveɪt/ in the US and /ˈæktɪˌveɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: AK-tih-vayt.
What does activate mean?
- put in motion or move to act“trigger a reaction”“actuate the circuits”
- make active or more active“activate an old file”
- make more adsorptive“activate a metal”
Where does activate come from?
From active + -ate.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying activate
How do you pronounce activate?
Say AK-tuh-vayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈæktəˌveɪt/. In British English it is /ˈæktɪˌveɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in activate?
Activate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AK). Broken into parts: AK · tuh · vayt.
Do Americans and Brits say activate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈæktəˌveɪt/ and the British form is /ˈæktɪˌveɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.