How to pronounce prefatory
Say it like PREF-uh-tor-ee. Prefatory has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PREF).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce prefatory. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PREF
- uh
- tor
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prefatory pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PREFSay 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.
- torGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of prefatory
American and British speakers say prefatory in essentially the same way: /ˈprɛfəˌtɔri/ in the US and /ˈprɛfətəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: PREF-uh-tuh-ree.
What does prefatory mean?
- Serving as a preface or prelude; introductory, preliminary.
Where does prefatory come from?
Note that this is borrowed from Latin, not derived in English from preface, as in occasional misspelling *prefecatory.
Questions about saying prefatory
How do you pronounce prefatory?
Say PREF-uh-tor-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈprɛfəˌtɔri/. In British English it is /ˈprɛfətəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prefatory?
Prefatory has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PREF). Broken into parts: PREF · uh · tor · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say prefatory the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈprɛfəˌtɔri/ and the British form is /ˈprɛfətəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.