How to pronounce dilate
Say it like dy-LAYT. Dilate has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAYT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce dilate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dy
- LAYT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dilate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- LAYTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of dilate
American and British speakers say dilate in essentially the same way: /ˌdaɪˈleɪt/ in the US and /ˌdaɪˌleɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: dy-layt.
What does dilate mean?
- To enlarge; to make bigger.“The eye doctor put drops in my eye to dilate the pupil so he could see the nerve better.”
- To become wider or larger; to expand.“His heart dilates and glories in his strength.”
- To speak largely and copiously; to dwell in narration; to enlarge; with "on" or "upon".
Where does dilate come from?
First attested in 1393, in Middle English; inherited from Middle English dilaten, from Old French dilater, from Latin dīlātō (“to spread out”), from dī- + lātus (“wide”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with dilate
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of dilate.
Questions about saying dilate
How do you pronounce dilate?
Say dy-LAYT. The American pronunciation is /ˌdaɪˈleɪt/. In British English it is /ˌdaɪˌleɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dilate?
Dilate has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAYT). Broken into parts: dy · LAYT.
Do Americans and Brits say dilate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌdaɪˈleɪt/ and the British form is /ˌdaɪˌleɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.