How to pronounce expurgate
Say it like EK-sper-gayt. Expurgate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce expurgate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EK
- sper
- gayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Expurgate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- sperKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- gaytKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of expurgate
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: EK-spuh-gayt.
What does expurgate mean?
- To edit out (incorrect, offensive, or otherwise undesirable information) from a book or other publication; to cleanse; to purge.“The publisher decided to expurgate the love scene from the book, to make it more child-friendly.”
- To undertake editing out incorrect, offensive, or otherwise undesirable information from (a book or other publication); to cleanse; to purge.“The publisher decided to expurgate the book, which meant removing the love scene.”
Where does expurgate come from?
From Latin expurgātus, perfect passive participle of expurgō (“purge, cleanse, purify”).
Questions about saying expurgate
How do you pronounce expurgate?
Say EK-sper-gayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈɛkspɚɡeɪt/. In British English it is /ˈɛkspəɡeɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in expurgate?
Expurgate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EK). Broken into parts: EK · sper · gayt.
Is expurgate 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 /ˈɛkspəɡeɪt/ (EK-spuh-gayt).