How to pronounce operate
Say it like AH-puh-rayt. Operate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce operate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AH
- puh
- rayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Operate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- raytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of operate
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: OP-uh-rayt.
Other ways to say operate
Operate also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- AW-puh-rayt /ˈɔpəˌreɪt/
What does operate mean?
- direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.“She is running a relief operation in the Sudan”
- perform as expected when applied“The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in”“Does this old car still run well?”
- handle and cause to function“do not operate machinery after imbibing alcohol”“control the lever”
Where does operate come from?
From Latin operātus, perfect passive participle of operor (“to work, labor, toil, have effect”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying operate
How do you pronounce operate?
Say AH-puh-rayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑpəˌreɪt/. In British English it is /ˈɒpəˌreɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in operate?
Operate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AH). Broken into parts: AH · puh · rayt.
Is operate 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 /ˈɒpəˌreɪt/ (OP-uh-rayt).