How to pronounce desolate
Say it like DES-uh-lut. Desolate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DES).
- DES
- uh
- lut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Desolate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DESSay 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.
- lutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of desolate
American and British speakers say desolate in essentially the same way: /ˈdɛsələt/ in the US and /ˈdɛsələt/ in the UK.
British respelling: DES-uh-lut.
What does desolate mean?
- Deserted and devoid of inhabitants.“a desolate isle; a desolate wilderness; a desolate house”
- Barren and lifeless.
- Made unfit for habitation or use because of neglect, destruction etc.“desolate altars”
- To deprive of inhabitants.
- To devastate or lay waste somewhere.
- To abandon or forsake something.
Where does desolate come from?
From Middle English desolat(e).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- peopleless
- uninhabited
- abandoned
- derelict
- dearthful
- scrunty
- sere
- sterile
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying desolate
How do you pronounce desolate?
Say DES-uh-lut. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɛsələt/. In British English it is /ˈdɛsələt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in desolate?
Desolate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DES). Broken into parts: DES · uh · lut.
Do Americans and Brits say desolate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɛsələt/ and the British form is /ˈdɛsələt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.