How to pronounce inchoate
Say it like in-KOH-ut. Inchoate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce inchoate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- KOH
- ut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Inchoate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- KOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- utKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of inchoate
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: in-KOH-ut.
What does inchoate mean?
- Recently started but not fully formed yet; just begun; only elementary or immature.
- Chaotic, disordered, confused; also, incoherent, rambling.
- Of a crime, imposing criminal liability for an incompleted act.
- A beginning, an immature start.
- To begin or start (something).
- To cause or bring about. In the field of criminology, to encourage, assist, conspire, aid and abet, incite, etc.
- To make a start.
Where does inchoate come from?
The adjective is first attested in 1534, the verb circa 1631; borrowed from Latin incohātus (“begun, unfinished”), perfect passive participle of incohō (“to begin”), see -ate (etymology 1, 2 and 3).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with inchoate
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of inchoate.
Questions about saying inchoate
How do you pronounce inchoate?
Say in-KOH-ut. The American pronunciation is /ɪnˈkoʊət/. In British English it is /ɪnˈkəʊət/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in inchoate?
Inchoate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KOH). Broken into parts: in · KOH · ut.
Is inchoate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ɪnˈkəʊət/ (in-KOH-ut).