How to pronounce desolation
Say it like des-uh-LAY-shun. Desolation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce desolation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- des
- uh
- LAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Desolation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- desGive 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.
- LAYSay 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 desolation
American and British speakers say desolation in essentially the same way: /ˌdɛsəˈleɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌdɛsəˈleɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: des-uh-LAY-shun.
What does desolation mean?
- The act of desolating or laying waste; destruction of inhabitants; depopulation.
- The state of being desolated or laid waste
- A place or country wasted and forsaken.
Where does desolation come from?
Inherited from Middle English desolacioun, from Middle French, Old French desolacion f, from Latin dēsōlātiō f.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with desolation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of desolation.
Questions about saying desolation
How do you pronounce desolation?
Say des-uh-LAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌdɛsəˈleɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌdɛsəˈleɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in desolation?
Desolation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LAY). Broken into parts: des · uh · LAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say desolation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌdɛsəˈleɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌdɛsəˈleɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.