How to pronounce provocate
Say it like pruh-VAH-kayt. Provocate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce provocate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pruh
- VAH
- kayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Provocate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- VAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- kaytKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of provocate
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: pruh-VOK-ayt.
What does provocate mean?
- To provoke.
- To call forth.
- To challenge.
Where does provocate come from?
From Middle English provocaten, from Latin prōvocō, prōvocātus.
Questions about saying provocate
How do you pronounce provocate?
Say pruh-VAH-kayt. The American pronunciation is /prəˈvɑkeɪt/. In British English it is /prəˈvɒkeɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in provocate?
Provocate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VAH). Broken into parts: pruh · VAH · kayt.
Is provocate 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 /prəˈvɒkeɪt/ (pruh-VOK-ayt).