How to pronounce dictation
Say it like dik-TAY-shun. Dictation has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce dictation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dik
- TAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dictation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- TAYSay 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 dictation
American and British speakers say dictation in essentially the same way: /dɪkˈteɪʃən/ in the US and /dɪkˈteɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: dik-TAY-shun.
What does dictation mean?
- Dictating, the process of speaking for someone else to write down the words.“Since I learned shorthand, I can take dictation at eighty words a minute.”
- An activity in school where the teacher reads a passage aloud and the students write it down.
- The act of ordering or commanding.
Where does dictation come from?
From Late Latin dictātiō, noun of action from dictātus, the perfect passive participle of dictō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with dictation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of dictation.
Questions about saying dictation
How do you pronounce dictation?
Say dik-TAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /dɪkˈteɪʃən/. In British English it is /dɪkˈteɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dictation?
Dictation has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAY). Broken into parts: dik · TAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say dictation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪkˈteɪʃən/ and the British form is /dɪkˈteɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.