How to pronounce designate
Say it like DEZ-ug-nayt. Designate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce designate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DEZ
- ug
- nayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Designate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DEZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ugKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- naytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of designate
American and British speakers say designate in essentially the same way: /ˈdɛzəɡˌneɪt/ in the US and /ˈdɛzɪɡˌneɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: DEZ-ig-nayt.
What does designate mean?
- To mark out and make known; to point out; to indicate; to show; to distinguish by marks or description“to designate the boundaries of a country”
- To call by a distinctive title; to name.
- To indicate or set apart for a purpose or duty, with to or for; to designate an officer for or to the command of a post or station.
- Designated; appointed; chosen.
- Used after a role title to indicate that the person has been selected but has yet to take up the role.
Where does designate come from?
Borrowed from Latin dēsignātus, perfect passive participle of designō, see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and -ate (verb-forming suffix).
Questions about saying designate
How do you pronounce designate?
Say DEZ-ug-nayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɛzəɡˌneɪt/. In British English it is /ˈdɛzɪɡˌneɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in designate?
Designate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEZ). Broken into parts: DEZ · ug · nayt.
Do Americans and Brits say designate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɛzəɡˌneɪt/ and the British form is /ˈdɛzɪɡˌneɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.