How to pronounce inanimate
Say it like in-AN-uh-mut. Inanimate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce inanimate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- AN
- uh
- mut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Inanimate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- mutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of inanimate
American and British speakers say inanimate in essentially the same way: /ˌɪˈnænəmət/ in the US and /ɪˈnænɪmət/ in the UK.
British respelling: ih-NAN-ih-mut.
What does inanimate mean?
- Lacking the quality or ability of motion; as an inanimate object.
- Not alive, and never having been alive, especially not like humans and animals.
- Not animate.
- Something that is not alive.
Where does inanimate come from?
Inherited from Middle English inanimat(e), from Late Latin inanimātus, from Latin in- + animātus (“animated”), see -ate (adjective-forming suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying inanimate
How do you pronounce inanimate?
Say in-AN-uh-mut. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪˈnænəmət/. In British English it is /ɪˈnænɪmət/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in inanimate?
Inanimate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AN). Broken into parts: in · AN · uh · mut.
Do Americans and Brits say inanimate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪˈnænəmət/ and the British form is /ɪˈnænɪmət/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.