How to pronounce innovation
Say it like in-uh-VAY-shun. Innovation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (VAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce innovation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- uh
- VAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Innovation 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.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- VAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of innovation
American and British speakers say innovation in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-uh-VAY-shun.
What does innovation mean?
- a creation (a new device or process) resulting from study and experimentation
- the creation of something in the mind
- the act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new“she looked forward to her initiation as an adult”“the foundation of a new scientific society”
Where does innovation come from?
Borrowed from Middle French innovation, from Old French innovacion, from Late Latin innovatio, innovationem, from Latin innovo, innovatus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with innovation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of innovation.
Questions about saying innovation
How do you pronounce innovation?
Say in-uh-VAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in innovation?
Innovation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (VAY). Broken into parts: in · uh · VAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say innovation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.