How to pronounce debates
Say it like duh-BAYTS. Debates has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BAYTS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce debates. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- duh
- BAYTS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Debates pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BAYTSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of debates
American and British speakers say debates in essentially the same way: /dəˈbeɪts/ in the US and /dɪˈbeɪts/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-BAYTS.
What does debates mean?
- plural of debate How to pronounce debate
- third-person singular simple present indicative of debate How to pronounce debate
Words that rhyme with debates
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of debates.
Questions about saying debates
How do you pronounce debates?
Say duh-BAYTS. The American pronunciation is /dəˈbeɪts/. In British English it is /dɪˈbeɪts/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in debates?
Debates has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BAYTS). Broken into parts: duh · BAYTS.
Do Americans and Brits say debates the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dəˈbeɪts/ and the British form is /dɪˈbeɪts/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.