How to pronounce berate
Say it like bih-RAYT. Berate has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RAYT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce berate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- bih
- RAYT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Berate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- bihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- RAYTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of berate
American and British speakers say berate in essentially the same way: /bɪˈreɪt/ in the US and /bɪˈreɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: bih-RAYT.
What does berate mean?
- To chide or scold vehemently.“What society tells people that they can “do whatever they want” to dissidents, and yet berates anyone for treating them well?”
Where does berate come from?
From be- + rate (“to scold, upbraid”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with berate
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of berate.
Questions about saying berate
How do you pronounce berate?
Say bih-RAYT. The American pronunciation is /bɪˈreɪt/. In British English it is /bɪˈreɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in berate?
Berate has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RAYT). Broken into parts: bih · RAYT.
Do Americans and Brits say berate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /bɪˈreɪt/ and the British form is /bɪˈreɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.