How to pronounce pontificate
Say it like pawn-TIF-uh-kut. Pontificate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TIF).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pontificate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pawn
- TIF
- uh
- kut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pontificate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pawnKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- TIFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of pontificate
American and British speakers say pontificate in essentially the same way: /pɔnˈtɪfəkət/ in the US and /pɒnˈtɪfɪkət/ in the UK.
British respelling: pon-TIF-ih-kut.
What does pontificate mean?
- The status or term of office of a pontiff or pontifex.
- To preside as a bishop, especially at mass.
- To act like a pontiff; to express one's position or opinions dogmatically and pompously as if they were absolutely correct.
- To speak in a patronizing, supercilious or pompous manner, especially at length.
Where does pontificate come from?
From Latin pontificatus, from pontifex (“high priest”), from pons (“bridge”) + facere (“make”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying pontificate
How do you pronounce pontificate?
Say pawn-TIF-uh-kut. The American pronunciation is /pɔnˈtɪfəkət/. In British English it is /pɒnˈtɪfɪkət/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pontificate?
Pontificate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TIF). Broken into parts: pawn · TIF · uh · kut.
Do Americans and Brits say pontificate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /pɔnˈtɪfəkət/ and the British form is /pɒnˈtɪfɪkət/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.