How to pronounce dictator
Say it like DIK-tay-ter. Dictator has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce dictator. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DIK
- tay
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dictator pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DIKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tayKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of dictator
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: dik-TAY-tuh.
Other ways to say dictator
Dictator also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- dik-TAY-ter /dɪkˈteɪtɚ/
What does dictator mean?
- a speaker who dictates to a secretary or a recording machine
- a ruler who is unconstrained by law
- a person who behaves in a tyrannical manner“my boss is a dictator who makes everyone work overtime”
Where does dictator come from?
From Latin dictātor (“a chief magistrate”), from dictō (“dictate, prescribe”), from dīcō (“say, speak”).
Questions about saying dictator
How do you pronounce dictator?
Say DIK-tay-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɪkteɪtɚ/. In British English it is /dɪkˈteɪtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dictator?
Dictator has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIK). Broken into parts: DIK · tay · ter.
Is dictator pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2. The British form is /dɪkˈteɪtə/ (dik-TAY-tuh).