How to pronounce alligator
Say it like AL-uh-gay-ter. Alligator has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce alligator. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AL
- uh
- gay
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Alligator pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- gayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of alligator
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: AL-ih-gay-tuh.
What does alligator mean?
- Either of two species of large amphibious reptile, Alligator mississippiensis or Alligator sinensis, in the genus Alligator within order Crocodilia, which have sharp teeth and very strong jaws and are native to the Americas and China, respectively.“All you could see of the alligator were two eyes above the water, then suddenly it snatched up and caught the poor bird with strong jaws full of sharp teeth.”
- A crocodilian of the subfamily Alligatorinae.
- A dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis)
- To crack in a pattern resembling an alligator's skin.
- Used in a common chronometric counting scheme, in which the speaker counts out loud, saying the word "alligator" between the numbers so that each number is spoken approximately one second after the last one.
Where does alligator come from?
From early Modern English alligater, alligarta, aligarto, alegarto, alagarto, from Spanish el lagarto (“the lizard”), from Latin lacertus (“lizard”), modern spelling possibly influenced by the unrelated Latin alligator (“one who binds”).
Questions about saying alligator
How do you pronounce alligator?
Say AL-uh-gay-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈæləˌɡeɪtɚ/. In British English it is /ˈælɪɡeɪtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in alligator?
Alligator has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AL). Broken into parts: AL · uh · gay · ter.
Is alligator pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈælɪɡeɪtə/ (AL-ih-gay-tuh).