How to pronounce ascertain
Say it like as-er-TAYN. Ascertain has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TAYN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ascertain. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- as
- er
- TAYN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ascertain pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- asGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- TAYNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of ascertain
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: as-uh-TAYN.
What does ascertain mean?
- To find out definitely; to discover or establish.“As soon as we ascertain what the situation is, we can plan how to proceed.”
- To look for something lost.
Where does ascertain come from?
From Middle English acerteynen, from Old French acertener, from a- (“to, towards”) + certener (“make sure of”), from the adjective certain, from Latin certus (“certain, fixed”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with ascertain
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ascertain.
Questions about saying ascertain
How do you pronounce ascertain?
Say as-er-TAYN. The American pronunciation is /ˌæsɚˈteɪn/. In British English it is /ˌæsəˈteɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ascertain?
Ascertain has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TAYN). Broken into parts: as · er · TAYN.
Is ascertain 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 /ˌæsəˈteɪn/ (as-uh-TAYN).