How to pronounce levitate
Say it like LEV-ih-tayt. Levitate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce levitate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LEV
- ih
- tayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Levitate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LEVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- taytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of levitate
American and British speakers say levitate in essentially the same way: /ˈlɛvɪˌteɪt/ in the US and /ˈlɛvɪˌteɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: LEV-ih-tayt.
What does levitate mean?
- To cause to rise in the air and float, as if in defiance of gravity.“The magician levitated the woman.”
- To be suspended in the air, as if in defiance of gravity.“The guru claimed that he could levitate.”
Where does levitate come from?
First attested in 1673; borrowed from New Latin levitātus, perfect passive participle of levitō (“to levitate; to have one's motion directed upward, as opposed to the downward motion induced by gravity”) (first attested c.
Questions about saying levitate
How do you pronounce levitate?
Say LEV-ih-tayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɛvɪˌteɪt/. In British English it is /ˈlɛvɪˌteɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in levitate?
Levitate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEV). Broken into parts: LEV · ih · tayt.
Do Americans and Brits say levitate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlɛvɪˌteɪt/ and the British form is /ˈlɛvɪˌteɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.