How to pronounce digitigrade
Say it like DIJ-uh-tuh-grayd. Digitigrade has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIJ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce digitigrade. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DIJ
- uh
- tuh
- grayd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Digitigrade pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DIJSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- graydKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of digitigrade
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: DIJ-ih-tih-grayd.
What does digitigrade mean?
- Of an animal: walking on the toes, putting the weight of the body mainly on the ball of the foot, with the back of the foot, or heel, raised.
- Of feet or a manner of walking: of, resembling, or pertaining to that of a digitigrade animal.
- A digitigrade animal; an animal that walks on its toes, such as a cat or a dog.
Where does digitigrade come from?
From French digitigrade, from Latin digitus (“finger, toe, digit”) + -grade (“gait”); compare New Latin digitigradus.
Questions about saying digitigrade
How do you pronounce digitigrade?
Say DIJ-uh-tuh-grayd. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɪdʒətəɡreɪd/. In British English it is /ˈdɪdʒɪtɪˌɡreɪd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in digitigrade?
Digitigrade has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIJ). Broken into parts: DIJ · uh · tuh · grayd.
Is digitigrade pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈdɪdʒɪtɪˌɡreɪd/ (DIJ-ih-tih-grayd).