How to pronounce autopilot
Say it like AW-toh-py-lut. Autopilot has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce autopilot. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AW
- toh
- py
- lut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Autopilot pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- tohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- pyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- lutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of autopilot
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: AW-toh-py-lut.
What does autopilot mean?
- A mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic system used to guide a vehicle without assistance from a human being.“I set the autopilot to due south, so I could get some rest.”
- A state of mind where one no longer thinks about doing one's actions, but acts mechanically.“I've been doing this 12 hours non-stop, and am so hungry and tired that I've stopped thinking: I'm now on autopilot.”
- To pilot itself; to drive or travel automatically.
Where does autopilot come from?
From auto- + pilot.
Questions about saying autopilot
How do you pronounce autopilot?
Say AW-toh-py-lut. The American pronunciation is /ˈɔtoʊˌpaɪlət/. In British English it is /ˈɔːtəʊˌpaɪlət/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in autopilot?
Autopilot has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AW). Broken into parts: AW · toh · py · lut.
Is autopilot 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 /ˈɔːtəʊˌpaɪlət/ (AW-toh-py-lut).