How to pronounce chaotic
Say it like kay-AH-tik. Chaotic has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce chaotic. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kay
- AH
- tik
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Chaotic pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kayKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- AHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of chaotic
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: kay-OT-ik.
What does chaotic mean?
- lacking a visible order or organization
- completely unordered and unpredictable and confusing
- of or relating to a sensitive dependence on initial conditions
Where does chaotic come from?
From Late Latin chaoticus (“of or pertaining to the primordial state of the universe”), from Latin chaos (“chaos”) + -ticus (suffix forming adjectives from nouns); analysable as chaos + -otic.
Words that rhyme with chaotic
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of chaotic.
Questions about saying chaotic
How do you pronounce chaotic?
Say kay-AH-tik. The American pronunciation is /keɪˈɑtɪk/. In British English it is /keɪˈɒtɪk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in chaotic?
Chaotic has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AH). Broken into parts: kay · AH · tik.
Is chaotic 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 /keɪˈɒtɪk/ (kay-OT-ik).