How to pronounce decorate
Say it like DEK-uh-rayt. Decorate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce decorate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DEK
- uh
- rayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Decorate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- raytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of decorate
American and British speakers say decorate in essentially the same way: /ˈdɛkəˌreɪt/ in the US and /ˈdɛkəˌreɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: DEK-uh-rayt.
What does decorate mean?
- To furnish with decorations.“We decorated the Christmas tree with tinsel and baubles.”
- To improve the appearance of an interior of, as a house, room, or office.“There's some paint left over from when we decorated the guest bedroom.”
- To improve the appearance of an interior of, as a house, room, or office.“People tend to decorate for the holidays or special events.”
Where does decorate come from?
From Middle English decorat (“adorned”), from Latin decorātus, perfect passive participle of decorō (“to adorn, distinguish, honor”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from decus (“ornament, grace, dignity, honor”, decor- in compounds), akin
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying decorate
How do you pronounce decorate?
Say DEK-uh-rayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɛkəˌreɪt/. In British English it is /ˈdɛkəˌreɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in decorate?
Decorate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEK). Broken into parts: DEK · uh · rayt.
Do Americans and Brits say decorate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɛkəˌreɪt/ and the British form is /ˈdɛkəˌreɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.