How to pronounce contaminated
Say it like kun-TAM-uh-nay-tid. Contaminated has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contaminated. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- TAM
- uh
- nay
- tid
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contaminated pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TAMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- tidKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of contaminated
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: kun-TAM-uh-nay-tid.
What does contaminated mean?
- corrupted by contact or association“contaminated evidence”
- rendered unwholesome by contaminants and pollution“had to boil the contaminated water”“polluted lakes and streams”
Questions about saying contaminated
How do you pronounce contaminated?
Say kun-TAM-uh-nay-tid. The American pronunciation is /kənˈtæməˌneɪtɪd/. In British English it is /kənˈtæməˌneɪtɪd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contaminated?
Contaminated has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAM). Broken into parts: kun · TAM · uh · nay · tid.
Is contaminated pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /kənˈtæməˌneɪtɪd/ (kun-TAM-uh-nay-tid).