How to pronounce actuate
Say it like AK-choo-ayt. Actuate 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 actuate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AK
- choo
- ayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Actuate 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.
- 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 actuate
American and British speakers say actuate in essentially the same way: /ˈæktʃueɪt/ in the US and /ˈæktʃueɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: AK-choo-ayt.
What does actuate mean?
- To activate, or to put into motion; to animate.
- To incite to action; to motivate.
Where does actuate come from?
From Medieval Latin āctuātus, perfect passive participle of āctuō (“actuate, implement”), from Latin āctus, perfect passive participle of agō (“do, act”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying actuate
How do you pronounce actuate?
Say AK-choo-ayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈæktʃueɪt/. In British English it is /ˈæktʃueɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in actuate?
Actuate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AK). Broken into parts: AK · choo · ayt.
Do Americans and Brits say actuate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈæktʃueɪt/ and the British form is /ˈæktʃueɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.