How to pronounce initialize
Say it like in-ISH-uh-lyze. Initialize has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ISH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce initialize. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- ISH
- uh
- lyze
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Initialize 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.
- ISHSay 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.
- lyzeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of initialize
American and British speakers say initialize in essentially the same way: /ˌɪˈnɪʃəˌlaɪz/ in the US and /ˌɪˈnɪʃəˌlaɪz/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-ISH-uh-lyze.
What does initialize mean?
- To assign initial values to something.
- To assign an initial value to a variable.
- To format a storage medium prior to use.
Where does initialize come from?
From initial + -ize.
Questions about saying initialize
How do you pronounce initialize?
Say in-ISH-uh-lyze. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪˈnɪʃəˌlaɪz/. In British English it is /ˌɪˈnɪʃəˌlaɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in initialize?
Initialize has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ISH). Broken into parts: in · ISH · uh · lyze.
Do Americans and Brits say initialize the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪˈnɪʃəˌlaɪz/ and the British form is /ˌɪˈnɪʃəˌlaɪz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.