How to pronounce germinate
Say it like JUR-muh-nayt. Germinate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (JUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce germinate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- JUR
- muh
- nayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Germinate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- JURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- naytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of germinate
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: JUR-muh-nayt.
What does germinate mean?
- Of a seed, to begin to grow, to sprout roots and leaves.
- To cause to grow; to produce.
Where does germinate come from?
From oblique stem of Latin germen, germinis (“shoot, sprout, bud”) + -ate, from germinātus (“sprouted, budded, grown”), past participle of germinō (“to sprout, bud, grow”), from germen, germinis (“shoot, sprout, bud”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with germinate
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of germinate.
Questions about saying germinate
How do you pronounce germinate?
Say JUR-muh-nayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈdʒɝməˌneɪt/. In British English it is /ˈdʒɜːməˌneɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in germinate?
Germinate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (JUR). Broken into parts: JUR · muh · nayt.
Is germinate 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 /ˈdʒɜːməˌneɪt/ (JUR-muh-nayt).