How to pronounce candidate
Say it like KAN-duh-dayt. Candidate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce candidate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAN
- duh
- dayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Candidate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- daytKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of candidate
American and British speakers say candidate in essentially the same way: /ˈkændədeɪt/ in the US and /ˈkændɪdɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: KAN-dih-dit.
What does candidate mean?
- a politician who is running for public office
- someone who is considered for something (for an office or prize or honor etc.)
Where does candidate come from?
From Latin candidātus (“a person who is standing for public office”, noun), from candidus (“dazzling white, shining, clear”) + -ātus, -āta, -ātum (participial adjective-forming suffix), in reference to Roman candidates wearing bleached whit
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying candidate
How do you pronounce candidate?
Say KAN-duh-dayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈkændədeɪt/. In British English it is /ˈkændɪdɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in candidate?
Candidate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAN). Broken into parts: KAN · duh · dayt.
Do Americans and Brits say candidate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkændədeɪt/ and the British form is /ˈkændɪdɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.