How to pronounce altercation
Say it like ahl-ter-KAY-shun. Altercation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce altercation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ahl
- ter
- KAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Altercation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ahlGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- KAYSay 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 altercation
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: awl-tuh-KAY-shun.
What does altercation mean?
- An angry or heated dispute.“to get into an altercation over (something)”
- Angry or heated disputation.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with altercation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of altercation.
Questions about saying altercation
How do you pronounce altercation?
Say ahl-ter-KAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɑltɚˈkeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌɔːltəˈkeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in altercation?
Altercation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KAY). Broken into parts: ahl · ter · KAY · shun.
Is altercation 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 /ˌɔːltəˈkeɪʃən/ (awl-tuh-KAY-shun).