How to pronounce octavate
Say it like OK-tuh-vayt. Octavate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce octavate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OK
- tuh
- vayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Octavate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- vaytKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of octavate
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: OK-tuh-vayt.
What does octavate mean?
- To resonate or sound one octave higher or lower.
- To span (at least) one octave in playing a musical instrument.
- To double the pitch of (a part of itself).
- octave (transfiguratively)
Where does octavate come from?
First attested in 1922; formed as octav(e) + -ate (verb-forming suffix), in the musical sense after the French octavier.
Questions about saying octavate
How do you pronounce octavate?
Say OK-tuh-vayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑktəveɪt/. In British English it is /ˈɒktəveɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in octavate?
Octavate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OK). Broken into parts: OK · tuh · vayt.
Is octavate 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 /ˈɒktəveɪt/ (OK-tuh-vayt).