How to pronounce patriarch
Say it like PAY-tree-ark. Patriarch has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce patriarch. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAY
- tree
- ark
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Patriarch pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- treeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- arkGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of patriarch
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PAY-trih-ahk.
What does patriarch mean?
- The highest form of bishop, in the ancient world having authority over other bishops in the province but now generally as an honorary title; in Roman Catholicism, considered a bishop second only to the Pope in rank.
- A male leader of a family, tribe or ethnic group, especially one of the twelve sons of Jacob (considered to have created the twelve tribes of Israel) or (in plural) Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
- A founder of a political or religious movement, an organization or an enterprise.
Words that rhyme with patriarch
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of patriarch.
Questions about saying patriarch
How do you pronounce patriarch?
Say PAY-tree-ark. The American pronunciation is /ˈpeɪtriˌɑrk/. In British English it is /ˈpeɪtrɪɑːk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in patriarch?
Patriarch has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAY). Broken into parts: PAY · tree · ark.
Is patriarch pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈpeɪtrɪɑːk/ (PAY-trih-ahk).