How to pronounce invitation
Say it like in-vih-TAY-shun. Invitation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce invitation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- vih
- TAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Invitation 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.
- vihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- TAYSay 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 invitation
American and British speakers say invitation in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-vih-TAY-shun.
What does invitation mean?
- a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something“an invitation to lunch”“she threw the invitation away”
- a tempting allurement“she was an invitation to trouble”
Where does invitation come from?
From Middle English invitacioun, ynvytacioun, from Latin invītātio, reinforced by Middle French invitation.
Words that rhyme with invitation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of invitation.
Questions about saying invitation
How do you pronounce invitation?
Say in-vih-TAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in invitation?
Invitation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TAY). Broken into parts: in · vih · TAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say invitation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.