How to pronounce constitute
Say it like KON-stuh-toot. Constitute has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce constitute. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KON
- stuh
- toot
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Constitute pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- stuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tootGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of constitute
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
British respelling: KON-stih-tyoot.
What does constitute mean?
- form or compose“This money is my only income”“The stone wall was the backdrop for the performance”
- create and charge with a task or function“nominate a committee”
- to compose or represent“This wall forms the background of the stage setting”“The branches made a roof”
Where does constitute come from?
From Middle English constituten, from Latin cōnstitūtum, neuter of cōnstitūtus, past participle of Latin cōnstituō (“to put in place; set up; establish”), from con- (“with”) + statuō (“to put up; establish”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying constitute
How do you pronounce constitute?
Say KON-stuh-toot. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑnstəˌtut/. In British English it is /ˈkɒnstɪˌtjuːt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in constitute?
Constitute has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KON). Broken into parts: KON · stuh · toot.
Is constitute 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 /ˈkɒnstɪˌtjuːt/ (KON-stih-tyoot).