How to pronounce investigator
Say it like in-VES-tuh-gay-ter. Investigator has five 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 investigator. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- VES
- tuh
- gay
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Investigator 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.
- gayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of investigator
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: in-VES-tih-gay-tuh.
What does investigator mean?
- a scientist who devotes himself to doing research
- someone who investigates
- a police officer who investigates crimes
Where does investigator come from?
Attested in the mid‐16th century; from Latin investigator, from investigare, equivalent to investigate + -or.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying investigator
How do you pronounce investigator?
Say in-VES-tuh-gay-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈvɛstəˌɡeɪtɚ/. In British English it is /ɪnˈvɛstɪˌɡeɪtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in investigator?
Investigator has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VES). Broken into parts: in · VES · tuh · gay · ter.
Is investigator 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 /ɪnˈvɛstɪˌɡeɪtə/ (in-VES-tih-gay-tuh).