How to pronounce intestate
Say it like in-TES-tayt. Intestate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce intestate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- TES
- tayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Intestate 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.
- TESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- taytKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of intestate
American and British speakers say intestate in essentially the same way: /ɪnˈtɛsteɪt/ in the US and /ɪnˈtɛsteɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-TES-tayt.
What does intestate mean?
- Without a valid will indicating whom to leave one's estate to after death.
- Not devised or bequeathed; not disposed of by will.
- A person who dies without making a valid will.
Where does intestate come from?
From Latin intestātus, from in- (“not”) + testātus (“testate”), see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and -ate (noun-forming suffix).
Questions about saying intestate
How do you pronounce intestate?
Say in-TES-tayt. The American pronunciation is /ɪnˈtɛsteɪt/. In British English it is /ɪnˈtɛsteɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in intestate?
Intestate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TES). Broken into parts: in · TES · tayt.
Do Americans and Brits say intestate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪnˈtɛsteɪt/ and the British form is /ɪnˈtɛsteɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.