How to pronounce complicate
Say it like KAHM-pluh-kayt. Complicate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce complicate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAHM
- pluh
- kayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Complicate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- pluhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kaytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of complicate
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KOM-plih-kayt.
What does complicate mean?
- To make complex; to modify so as to make something intricate or difficult.
- To involve in a convoluted matter.“Don't complicate yourself in issues that are beyond the scope of your understanding.”
- To coexist with (another disease) creating a complication.
Where does complicate come from?
First attested in the early 17th century; borrowed from Latin complicātus, perfect passive participle of complicō (“to fold together, fold up”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from con- (“with, together
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying complicate
How do you pronounce complicate?
Say KAHM-pluh-kayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑmpləˌkeɪt/. In British English it is /ˈkɒmplɪkeɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in complicate?
Complicate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAHM). Broken into parts: KAHM · pluh · kayt.
Is complicate 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 /ˈkɒmplɪkeɪt/ (KOM-plih-kayt).