How to pronounce irrigate
Say it like IR-uh-gayt. Irrigate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce irrigate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IR
- uh
- gayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Irrigate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- IRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep 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 irrigate
American and British speakers say irrigate in essentially the same way: /ˈɪrəˌɡeɪt/ in the US and /ˈɪrəˌɡeɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: IR-uh-gayt.
What does irrigate mean?
- To supply (farmland) with water, by building ditches, pipes, etc.“We need to irrigate the land before we plant the crops.”
- To clean (a wound) with a fluid.“The nurse will show you how to irrigate the wound to prevent infection.”
Where does irrigate come from?
First attested in 1615; borrowed from Latin irrigātus, perfect passive participle of irrigō, see -ate (verb-forming suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying irrigate
How do you pronounce irrigate?
Say IR-uh-gayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈɪrəˌɡeɪt/. In British English it is /ˈɪrəˌɡeɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in irrigate?
Irrigate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IR). Broken into parts: IR · uh · gayt.
Do Americans and Brits say irrigate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɪrəˌɡeɪt/ and the British form is /ˈɪrəˌɡeɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.