How to pronounce illustrate
Say it like IL-uh-strayt. Illustrate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce illustrate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IL
- uh
- strayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Illustrate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- straytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of illustrate
American and British speakers say illustrate in essentially the same way: /ˈɪləˌstreɪt/ in the US and /ˈɪləˌstreɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: IL-uh-strayt.
What does illustrate mean?
- clarify by giving an example of
- depict with an illustration
- supply with illustrations“illustrate a book with drawings”
Where does illustrate come from?
Back-formation from illustration.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying illustrate
How do you pronounce illustrate?
Say IL-uh-strayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈɪləˌstreɪt/. In British English it is /ˈɪləˌstreɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in illustrate?
Illustrate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IL). Broken into parts: IL · uh · strayt.
Do Americans and Brits say illustrate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɪləˌstreɪt/ and the British form is /ˈɪləˌstreɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.