How to pronounce aggravation
Say it like ag-ruh-VAY-shun. Aggravation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (VAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce aggravation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ag
- ruh
- VAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Aggravation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- agGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- VAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of aggravation
American and British speakers say aggravation in essentially the same way: /ˌæɡrəˈveɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌæɡrəˈveɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: ag-ruh-VAY-shun.
What does aggravation mean?
- The act of aggravating, or making worse; used of evils, natural or moral; the act of increasing in severity or heinousness; something additional to a crime or wrong and enhancing its guilt or injurious consequences.
- Exaggerated representation.
- An extrinsic circumstance or accident which increases the guilt of a crime or the misery of a calamity.
Where does aggravation come from?
From Middle French aggravation.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with aggravation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of aggravation.
Questions about saying aggravation
How do you pronounce aggravation?
Say ag-ruh-VAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌæɡrəˈveɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌæɡrəˈveɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in aggravation?
Aggravation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (VAY). Broken into parts: ag · ruh · VAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say aggravation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌæɡrəˈveɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌæɡrəˈveɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.