How to pronounce alternate
Say it like AWL-ter-nut. Alternate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AWL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce alternate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AWL
- ter
- nut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Alternate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AWLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- nutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of alternate
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: AWL-tuh-nayt.
What does alternate mean?
- every second one of a series“the cleaning lady comes on alternate Wednesdays”“jam every other day”
- serving or used in place of another“an alternative plan”
- occurring by turns; first one and then the other“alternating feelings of love and hate”
- go back and forth; swing back and forth between two states or conditions
- exchange people temporarily to fulfill certain jobs and functions
- be an understudy or alternate for a role
- someone who takes the place of another person
Where does alternate come from?
Borrowed from Latin alternātus, the perfect passive participle of Latin alternō (“to take turns”) (see -ate (1,2 and 3)), from alternus (“one after another, by turns”), from alter (“other”) + -nus.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying alternate
How do you pronounce alternate?
Say AWL-ter-nut. The American pronunciation is /ˈɔltɚnət/. In British English it is /ˈɔːltəˌneɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in alternate?
Alternate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AWL). Broken into parts: AWL · ter · nut.
Is alternate 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 /ˈɔːltəˌneɪt/ (AWL-tuh-nayt).