How to pronounce adumbrate
Say it like AD-um-brayt. Adumbrate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce adumbrate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AD
- um
- brayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Adumbrate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ADSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- braytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of adumbrate
American and British speakers say adumbrate in essentially the same way: /ˈædʌmˌbreɪt/ in the US and /ˈædʌmˌbreɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: AD-um-brayt.
What does adumbrate mean?
- To foreshadow vaguely.
- To give a vague outline.
- To obscure or overshadow.
Where does adumbrate come from?
Borrowed from Latin adumbrātus (“represented in outline”), from adumbrāre (“cast a shadow on”), from umbra (“shadow”).
Questions about saying adumbrate
How do you pronounce adumbrate?
Say AD-um-brayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈædʌmˌbreɪt/. In British English it is /ˈædʌmˌbreɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in adumbrate?
Adumbrate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AD). Broken into parts: AD · um · brayt.
Do Americans and Brits say adumbrate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈædʌmˌbreɪt/ and the British form is /ˈædʌmˌbreɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.