How to pronounce exaptation
Say it like ek-sap-TAY-shun. Exaptation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce exaptation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ek
- sap
- TAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Exaptation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ekGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- sapKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- TAYSay this part loudest and longest. 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 exaptation
American and British speakers say exaptation in essentially the same way: /ˌɛksæpˈteɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌɛksəpˈteɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: ek-sup-TAY-shun.
What does exaptation mean?
- The use of a biological structure or function for a purpose other than that for which it initially evolved.“Birds initially developed wings and feathers as a means of heat regulation. The use of wings for flight is an example of exaptation.”
- The promotion of meaningless or redundant material so that it does new grammatical (morphosyntactic or phonological) or semantic work.
Where does exaptation come from?
Blend of ex- + adaptation.
Words that rhyme with exaptation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of exaptation.
Questions about saying exaptation
How do you pronounce exaptation?
Say ek-sap-TAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɛksæpˈteɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌɛksəpˈteɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in exaptation?
Exaptation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TAY). Broken into parts: ek · sap · TAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say exaptation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɛksæpˈteɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌɛksəpˈteɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.