How to pronounce prestidigitation
Say it like pres-tuh-dij-ih-TAY-shun. Prestidigitation has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fifth one (TAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce prestidigitation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pres
- tuh
- dij
- ih
- TAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prestidigitation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- presGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- dijGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- TAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of prestidigitation
American and British speakers say prestidigitation in essentially the same way: /ˌprɛstəˌdɪdʒɪˈteɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌprɛstɪˌdɪdʒɪˈteɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: pres-tih-dij-ih-TAY-shun.
What does prestidigitation mean?
- A performance of or skill in performing magic or conjuring tricks with the hands.“My favorite prestidigitation was when he pulled the live dove out of that tiny scarf.”
- A show of skill or deceitful cleverness.“His writing was peppered with verbal tricks and prestidigitation.”
Where does prestidigitation come from?
From French prestidigitation, from French preste (“nimble, quick”) + Latin digitus (“finger”) + French -ation (process suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with prestidigitation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of prestidigitation.
Questions about saying prestidigitation
How do you pronounce prestidigitation?
Say pres-tuh-dij-ih-TAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌprɛstəˌdɪdʒɪˈteɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌprɛstɪˌdɪdʒɪˈteɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prestidigitation?
Prestidigitation has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fifth one (TAY). Broken into parts: pres · tuh · dij · ih · TAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say prestidigitation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌprɛstəˌdɪdʒɪˈteɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌprɛstɪˌdɪdʒɪˈteɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.