How to pronounce perseverate
Say it like per-SEV-uh-rayt. Perseverate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce perseverate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- per
- SEV
- uh
- rayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Perseverate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- perKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- SEVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep 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 perseverate
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: puh-SEV-uh-rayt.
What does perseverate mean?
- To persist in doing something; to continue to repeat an action after the original stimulus has ended.
- To cause the perseveration of (a given reflex or response).
Where does perseverate come from?
Back-formation from perseveration.
Questions about saying perseverate
How do you pronounce perseverate?
Say per-SEV-uh-rayt. The American pronunciation is /pɚˈsɛvəˌreɪt/. In British English it is /pəˈsɛvəreɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in perseverate?
Perseverate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEV). Broken into parts: per · SEV · uh · rayt.
Is perseverate 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 /pəˈsɛvəreɪt/ (puh-SEV-uh-rayt).