How to pronounce decapitate
Say it like dee-KAP-uh-tayt. Decapitate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce decapitate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dee
- KAP
- uh
- tayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Decapitate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- KAPSay 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.
- taytKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of decapitate
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: dih-KAP-ih-tayt.
What does decapitate mean?
- To remove the head of.
- To oust or destroy the leadership or ruling body of (a government etc.).
Where does decapitate come from?
From French décapiter, from Late Latin dēcapitāre, literally, “to de-head”.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying decapitate
How do you pronounce decapitate?
Say dee-KAP-uh-tayt. The American pronunciation is /diˈkæpəteɪt/. In British English it is /dɪˈkæpɪteɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in decapitate?
Decapitate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAP). Broken into parts: dee · KAP · uh · tayt.
Is decapitate 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 /dɪˈkæpɪteɪt/ (dih-KAP-ih-tayt).