How to pronounce platitude
Say it like PLAT-ih-tyood. Platitude has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PLAT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce platitude. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PLAT
- ih
- tyood
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Platitude pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PLATSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tyoodGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of platitude
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: PLAT-ih-tyood.
What does platitude mean?
- An often-quoted saying that is supposed to be meaningful but has become unoriginal or hackneyed through overuse.
- A claim that is trivially true, to the point of being uninteresting.
- Flatness; lack of change, activity, or deviation.
Where does platitude come from?
Borrowed from French platitude, from plat (“flat”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying platitude
How do you pronounce platitude?
Say PLAT-ih-tyood. The American pronunciation is /ˈplætɪˌtjud/. In British English it is /ˈplætɪˌtjuːd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in platitude?
Platitude has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PLAT). Broken into parts: PLAT · ih · tyood.
Is platitude pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈplætɪˌtjuːd/ (PLAT-ih-tyood).