How to pronounce obstaculate
Say it like ub-STAK-yuh-layt. Obstaculate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce obstaculate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ub
- STAK
- yuh
- layt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Obstaculate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ubKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- STAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- yuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- laytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of obstaculate
American and British speakers say obstaculate in essentially the same way: /əbˈstækjəˌleɪt/ in the US and /əbˈstækjʊˌleɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: ub-STAK-yuu-layt.
What does obstaculate mean?
- To act as an obstacle to; to impede, obstruct.
Where does obstaculate come from?
Borrowed from Italian ostacolare, as if from a Latin *obstāculātus.
Words that rhyme with obstaculate
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of obstaculate.
Questions about saying obstaculate
How do you pronounce obstaculate?
Say ub-STAK-yuh-layt. The American pronunciation is /əbˈstækjəˌleɪt/. In British English it is /əbˈstækjʊˌleɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in obstaculate?
Obstaculate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STAK). Broken into parts: ub · STAK · yuh · layt.
Do Americans and Brits say obstaculate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əbˈstækjəˌleɪt/ and the British form is /əbˈstækjʊˌleɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.