How to pronounce approbation
Say it like ap-roh-BAY-shun. Approbation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (BAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce approbation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ap
- roh
- BAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Approbation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- apGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- rohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- BAYSay 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 approbation
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: ap-roh-BAY-shun.
What does approbation mean?
- The act of approving; an assenting to the propriety of a thing with some degree of pleasure or satisfaction; approval, sanction, commendation or official recognition.
Where does approbation come from?
From late Middle English approbacioun, from Old French approbacion (French approbation), from Latin approbatio, from approbare (“to assent to as good, approve, also show to be good, confirm”), from ad (“to”) + probare (“approve, commend”), from probus (“good”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with approbation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of approbation.
Questions about saying approbation
How do you pronounce approbation?
Say ap-roh-BAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌæproʊˈbeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌæprəʊˈbeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in approbation?
Approbation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (BAY). Broken into parts: ap · roh · BAY · shun.
Is approbation pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˌæprəʊˈbeɪʃən/ (ap-roh-BAY-shun).