How to pronounce moderate
Say it like MAH-duh-rut. Moderate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce moderate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MAH
- duh
- rut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Moderate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of moderate
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: MOD-uh-rayt.
What does moderate mean?
- preside over“John moderated the discussion”
- make less fast or intense“moderate your speed”
- lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits“moderate your alcohol intake”“hold your tongue”
- being within reasonable or average limits; not excessive or extreme“moderate prices”“a moderate income”
- not extreme“a moderate penalty”“temperate in his response to criticism”
- marked by avoidance of extravagance or extremes“moderate in his demands”“restrained in his response”
- a person who takes a position in the political center
Where does moderate come from?
From Middle English moderat(e) (“moderate, temperate”), borrowed from Latin moderātus, perfect active participle of moderor (“to regulate, to restrain, to moderate”) (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from moder-, modes-, a stem appeari
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying moderate
How do you pronounce moderate?
Say MAH-duh-rut. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɑdərət/. In British English it is /ˈmɒdəˌreɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in moderate?
Moderate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAH). Broken into parts: MAH · duh · rut.
Is moderate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈmɒdəˌreɪt/ (MOD-uh-rayt).