How to pronounce doctorate
Say it like DOK-tuh-rut. Doctorate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce doctorate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DOK
- tuh
- rut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Doctorate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DOKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of doctorate
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: DOK-tuh-rit.
What does doctorate mean?
- The highest degree awarded by a university faculty.
Where does doctorate come from?
From Latin doctōrātus.
Questions about saying doctorate
How do you pronounce doctorate?
Say DOK-tuh-rut. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɑktərət/. In British English it is /ˈdɒktərɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in doctorate?
Doctorate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOK). Broken into parts: DOK · tuh · rut.
Is doctorate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈdɒktərɪt/ (DOK-tuh-rit).