How to pronounce escalate
Say it like ES-kuh-layt. Escalate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce escalate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ES
- kuh
- layt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Escalate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- laytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of escalate
American and British speakers say escalate in essentially the same way: /ˈɛskəˌleɪt/ in the US and /ˈɛskəleɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: ES-kuh-layt.
What does escalate mean?
- To increase (something) in extent or intensity; to intensify or step up.“Violence escalated during the election.”
- In technical support, to transfer a customer, a problem, etc. to the next higher level of authority“The tech 1 escalated the caller to a tech 2.”
- To climb.
Where does escalate come from?
Back-formation from escalator.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying escalate
How do you pronounce escalate?
Say ES-kuh-layt. The American pronunciation is /ˈɛskəˌleɪt/. In British English it is /ˈɛskəleɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in escalate?
Escalate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ES). Broken into parts: ES · kuh · layt.
Do Americans and Brits say escalate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɛskəˌleɪt/ and the British form is /ˈɛskəleɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.