How to pronounce deviate
Say it like DEE-vee-ayt. Deviate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce deviate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DEE
- vee
- ayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Deviate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- veeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- aytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of deviate
American and British speakers say deviate in essentially the same way: /ˈdiviˌeɪt/ in the US and /ˈdiːvieɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: DEE-vee-ayt.
What does deviate mean?
- To go off course from; to change course; to change plans.
- To fall outside of, or part from, some norm; to stray.“His exhibition of nude paintings deviated from the norm.”
- To cause to diverge.
- A person with deviant behavior; a deviant, degenerate or pervert.
- A value equal to the difference between a measured variable factor and a fixed or algorithmic reference value.
- deviant
Where does deviate come from?
From Late Latin dēviātus, perfect passive participle of dēviō, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) for more.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with deviate
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of deviate.
Questions about saying deviate
How do you pronounce deviate?
Say DEE-vee-ayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈdiviˌeɪt/. In British English it is /ˈdiːvieɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in deviate?
Deviate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEE). Broken into parts: DEE · vee · ayt.
Do Americans and Brits say deviate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdiviˌeɪt/ and the British form is /ˈdiːvieɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.