How to pronounce elaborate
Say it like ih-LAB-rut. Elaborate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce elaborate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ih
- LAB
- rut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Elaborate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- LABSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- rutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of elaborate
- American English uses 3 syllables and British English 4.
British respelling: ih-LAB-uh-rit.
What does elaborate mean?
- marked by complexity and richness of detail“an elaborate lace pattern”
- developed or executed with care and in minute detail“a detailed plan”“the elaborate register of the inhabitants prevented tax evasion”
- add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing“She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation”
- produce from basic elements or sources; change into a more developed product“The bee elaborates honey”
- make more complex, intricate, or richer“refine a design or pattern”
Where does elaborate come from?
1575, from Late Latin ēlabōrātus (“worked out”), past participle of ēlabōrō (“to work out”), from ē- (“out, forth, fully”) + labor (“work, toil, exertion”).
Questions about saying elaborate
How do you pronounce elaborate?
Say ih-LAB-rut. The American pronunciation is /ɪˈlæbrət/. In British English it is /ɪˈlæbərɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in elaborate?
Elaborate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAB). Broken into parts: ih · LAB · rut.
Is elaborate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 3 syllables and British English 4. The British form is /ɪˈlæbərɪt/ (ih-LAB-uh-rit).