How to pronounce obviate
Say it like AB-vee-ayt. Obviate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce obviate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AB
- vee
- ayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Obviate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ABSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- veeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- aytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of obviate
American and British speakers say obviate in essentially the same way: /ˈæbviˌeɪt/ in the US and /ˈɒbviˌeɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: OB-vee-ayt.
What does obviate mean?
- To anticipate and prevent or bypass (something which would otherwise have been necessary or required); to render (something) unnecessary.
- To avoid (a future problem or difficult situation).
- Synonym of obviative.
- Synonym of obviative.
Where does obviate come from?
First attested in 1567; borrowed from Latin obviātus, perfect passive participle of obviō (“to block, to hinder”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying obviate
How do you pronounce obviate?
Say AB-vee-ayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈæbviˌeɪt/. In British English it is /ˈɒbviˌeɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in obviate?
Obviate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AB). Broken into parts: AB · vee · ayt.
Do Americans and Brits say obviate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈæbviˌeɪt/ and the British form is /ˈɒbviˌeɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.