How to pronounce exacerbation
Say it like ig-ZAS-er-bay-shun. Exacerbation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZAS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce exacerbation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ig
- ZAS
- er
- bay
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Exacerbation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- igKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ZASSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- bayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of exacerbation
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: ig-ZAS-uh-bay-shun.
What does exacerbation mean?
- An increase in the severity of something (such as a disease)
Where does exacerbation come from?
From Middle English exacerbacyoun, from Latin exacerbātiōnem, from exacerbāre (“to provoke, make harsh”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying exacerbation
How do you pronounce exacerbation?
Say ig-ZAS-er-bay-shun. The American pronunciation is /ɪɡˈzæsɚˌbeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ɪɡˈzæsəˌbeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in exacerbation?
Exacerbation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZAS). Broken into parts: ig · ZAS · er · bay · shun.
Is exacerbation pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ɪɡˈzæsəˌbeɪʃən/ (ig-ZAS-uh-bay-shun).