How to pronounce ovation
Say it like oh-VAY-shun. Ovation has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ovation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- VAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ovation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- VAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ovation
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: oh-VAY-shun.
What does ovation mean?
- A victory ceremony of less importance than a triumph.
- A (ceremony for the) recognition of some achievement.
- Prolonged enthusiastic applause.
- To give (someone) an ovation (prolonged enthusiastic applause).
Where does ovation come from?
Learned borrowing from Latin ovātiōnem.
Words that rhyme with ovation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ovation.
Questions about saying ovation
How do you pronounce ovation?
Say oh-VAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /oʊˈveɪʃən/. In British English it is /əʊˈveɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ovation?
Ovation has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VAY). Broken into parts: oh · VAY · shun.
Is ovation pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /əʊˈveɪʃən/ (oh-VAY-shun).