How to pronounce investigate
Say it like in-VES-tuh-gayt. Investigate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce investigate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- VES
- tuh
- gayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Investigate 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.
- VESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- gaytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of investigate
American and British speakers say investigate in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnˈvɛstəˌɡeɪt/ in the US and /ɪnˈvɛstɪˌɡeɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-VES-tih-gayt.
What does investigate mean?
- investigate scientifically“Let's investigate the syntax of Chinese”
- conduct an inquiry or investigation of“The district attorney's office investigated reports of possible irregularities”“inquire into the disappearance of the rich old lady”
Where does investigate come from?
Recorded since circa 1510, a back-formation from investigation on the basis of -ate (verb-forming suffix), from Latin investīgātiō (“a searching into”), from investīgātus, the perfect passive participle of investīgō, equivalent to in- + vestigate.
Questions about saying investigate
How do you pronounce investigate?
Say in-VES-tuh-gayt. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈvɛstəˌɡeɪt/. In British English it is /ɪnˈvɛstɪˌɡeɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in investigate?
Investigate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VES). Broken into parts: in · VES · tuh · gayt.
Do Americans and Brits say investigate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnˈvɛstəˌɡeɪt/ and the British form is /ɪnˈvɛstɪˌɡeɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.