How to pronounce automaton
Say it like aw-TAH-muh-tahn. Automaton has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce automaton. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- aw
- TAH
- muh
- tahn
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Automaton pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- awKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- TAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tahnGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of automaton
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: aw-TOM-uh-ton.
What does automaton mean?
- A machine or robot designed to follow a precise sequence of instructions.
- A person who acts like a machine or robot, often defined as having a monotonous lifestyle and lacking in emotion.“Due to her strict adherence to her daily schedule, Jessica was becoming more and more convinced that she was an automaton.”
- A formal system, such as a finite-state machine or cellular automaton.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying automaton
How do you pronounce automaton?
Say aw-TAH-muh-tahn. The American pronunciation is /ɔˈtɑməˌtɑn/. In British English it is /ɔːˈtɒməˌtɒn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in automaton?
Automaton has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAH). Broken into parts: aw · TAH · muh · tahn.
Is automaton pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ɔːˈtɒməˌtɒn/ (aw-TOM-uh-ton).