How to pronounce proximate
Say it like PRAHK-suh-mut. Proximate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRAHK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce proximate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PRAHK
- suh
- mut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Proximate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PRAHKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- mutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of proximate
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: PROK-sih-mut.
What does proximate mean?
- Close or closest; adjacent.
- Immediately preceding or following in a chain of causation.“The proximate cause of the damage must be established.”
- About to take place; impending.
- A grammatical marker that distinguishes a relatively salient referent in a given context from a relatively non-salient (obviative) one.
Where does proximate come from?
From Late Latin proximatus, past participle of proximare (“to draw near, approach”), from Latin proximus (“nearest”), superlative of prope (“near”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying proximate
How do you pronounce proximate?
Say PRAHK-suh-mut. The American pronunciation is /ˈprɑksəmət/. In British English it is /ˈprɒksɪmət/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in proximate?
Proximate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRAHK). Broken into parts: PRAHK · suh · mut.
Is proximate 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 /ˈprɒksɪmət/ (PROK-sih-mut).