How to pronounce alteration
Say it like awl-tuh-RAY-shun. Alteration has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce alteration. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- awl
- tuh
- RAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Alteration pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- awlGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RAYSay 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 alteration
American and British speakers say alteration in essentially the same way: /ˌɔltəˈreɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌɔːltəˈreɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: awl-tuh-RAY-shun.
What does alteration mean?
- The act of altering or making different.
- A minor adjustment to clothing, such as hemming or shortening, to make it fit better.
- The state of being altered; a change made in the form or nature of a thing; a changed condition.“The doctors don't see any alteration in the patient's condition.”
Where does alteration come from?
From Old French alteracion (French altération), from Medieval Latin alterātiō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with alteration
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of alteration.
Questions about saying alteration
How do you pronounce alteration?
Say awl-tuh-RAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɔltəˈreɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌɔːltəˈreɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in alteration?
Alteration has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAY). Broken into parts: awl · tuh · RAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say alteration the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɔltəˈreɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌɔːltəˈreɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.