How to pronounce intercalate
Say it like in-TUR-kuh-layt. Intercalate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce intercalate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- TUR
- kuh
- layt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Intercalate 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.
- TURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- laytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of intercalate
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: in-TUR-kuh-layt.
What does intercalate mean?
- To insert an extra leap day into a calendar in order to maintain synchrony with natural phenomena.
- To insert an extra month into a calendar for the same purpose, such as for the Hebrew calendar.
- To insert a substance between two or more molecules, bases, cells, or tissues.
- An atom or molecule, or a substance, that enters between the layers of the crystal lattice of another substance, especially that of graphite.
- A compound formed by foreign atoms or molecules entering between the layers of a crystal lattice, especially that of graphite.
Where does intercalate come from?
The verb is first attested in 1614, the noun in 1964; borrowed from Latin intercalātus, perfect passive participle of intercalō (“to proclaim that a day, an event, etc.
Words that rhyme with intercalate
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of intercalate.
Questions about saying intercalate
How do you pronounce intercalate?
Say in-TUR-kuh-layt. The American pronunciation is /ɪnˈtɝkəˌleɪt/. In British English it is /ɪnˈtɜːkəleɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in intercalate?
Intercalate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TUR). Broken into parts: in · TUR · kuh · layt.
Is intercalate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ɪnˈtɜːkəleɪt/ (in-TUR-kuh-layt).