How to pronounce decoration
Say it like dek-uh-RAY-shun. Decoration has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce decoration. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dek
- uh
- RAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Decoration pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dekGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of decoration
American and British speakers say decoration in essentially the same way: /ˌdɛkəˈreɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌdɛkəˈreɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: dek-uh-RAY-shun.
What does decoration mean?
- something used to beautify
- an award for winning a championship or commemorating some other event
- the act of decorating something (in the hope of making it more attractive)
Where does decoration come from?
From Latin decoratio: compare French décoration.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with decoration
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of decoration.
Questions about saying decoration
How do you pronounce decoration?
Say dek-uh-RAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌdɛkəˈreɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌdɛkəˈreɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in decoration?
Decoration has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAY). Broken into parts: dek · uh · RAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say decoration the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌdɛkəˈreɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌdɛkəˈreɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.