How to pronounce prerogative
Say it like pur-RAH-guh-tiv. Prerogative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce prerogative. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pur
- RAH
- guh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prerogative pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- purGive this part a little weight.
- RAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- guhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of prerogative
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: prih-ROG-uh-tiv.
What does prerogative mean?
- A right, especially when due to one's position or role.
- An exclusive hereditary or official right or privilege.
- A right or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc, especially such a power to make a decision or judgment.“Despite being a constitutional monarchy, the British sovereign still retain many royal prerogatives.”
- Having a hereditary or official right or privilege.
- Characterized by lawless state actions, as in a prerogative state.
Where does prerogative come from?
From Anglo-Norman prerogative (noun), from Latin praerogātīva (“previous verdict; claim, privilege”), noun use of the feminine singular of praerogātīvus (“having first vote; privileged”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with prerogative
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of prerogative.
Questions about saying prerogative
How do you pronounce prerogative?
Say pur-RAH-guh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɜˈrɑɡətɪv/. In British English it is /prɪˈrɒɡətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prerogative?
Prerogative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RAH). Broken into parts: pur · RAH · guh · tiv.
Is prerogative pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /prɪˈrɒɡətɪv/ (prih-ROG-uh-tiv).