How to pronounce polycarbonate
Say it like pah-lee-KAR-buh-nayt. Polycarbonate has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce polycarbonate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pah
- lee
- KAR
- buh
- nayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Polycarbonate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pahGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- KARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- buhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- naytKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of polycarbonate
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: pol-ee-KAH-buh-nayt.
What does polycarbonate mean?
- Any of a range of polymers of aromatic carbonates.
Where does polycarbonate come from?
From poly- + carbonate.
Words that rhyme with polycarbonate
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of polycarbonate.
Questions about saying polycarbonate
How do you pronounce polycarbonate?
Say pah-lee-KAR-buh-nayt. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɑliˈkɑrbəneɪt/. In British English it is /ˌpɒliˈkɑːbəneɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KAR). Broken into parts: pah · lee · KAR · buh · nayt.
Is polycarbonate 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 /ˌpɒliˈkɑːbəneɪt/ (pol-ee-KAH-buh-nayt).