How to pronounce arbitrate
Say it like AR-buh-trayt. Arbitrate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce arbitrate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AR
- buh
- trayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Arbitrate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- buhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- traytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of arbitrate
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: AH-bih-trayt.
What does arbitrate mean?
- To make a judgment (on a dispute) as an arbitrator or arbiter“to arbitrate a disputed case”
- To submit (a dispute) to such judgment
- To assign an arbitrary value to, or otherwise determine arbitrarily.“We wish to show f is continuous. Arbitrate epsilon greater than zero...”
Where does arbitrate come from?
From Latin arbitratus, past participle of arbitrari (“to be a witness, act as umpire”), from arbiter (“umpire”); see arbiter.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying arbitrate
How do you pronounce arbitrate?
Say AR-buh-trayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑrbəˌtreɪt/. In British English it is /ˈɑːbɪtreɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in arbitrate?
Arbitrate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AR). Broken into parts: AR · buh · trayt.
Is arbitrate 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 /ˈɑːbɪtreɪt/ (AH-bih-trayt).