How to pronounce punctuate
Say it like PUHNGK-choo-ayt. Punctuate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUHNGK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce punctuate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PUHNGK
- choo
- ayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Punctuate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PUHNGKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- chooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- aytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of punctuate
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
British respelling: PUHNGK-tyoo-ayt.
What does punctuate mean?
- To add punctuation to.“That occurrence of "its" needs to be punctuated as "it's".”
- To add or to interrupt at regular intervals.“My father punctuated his tirade with thumps on the desk.”
- To emphasize; to stress.
- Point-like; consisting of or marked with one or more points.
Where does punctuate come from?
Borrowed from Medieval Latin pūnctuātus, perfect passive participle of pūnctuō (“to mark with points”), from Medieval Latin pūnctus (“a point, dot”), from pungō (“to prick, punch”); see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying punctuate
How do you pronounce punctuate?
Say PUHNGK-choo-ayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈpʌŋktʃuˌeɪt/. In British English it is /ˈpʌŋktjuːeɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in punctuate?
Punctuate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUHNGK). Broken into parts: PUHNGK · choo · ayt.
Is punctuate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune). The British form is /ˈpʌŋktjuːeɪt/ (PUHNGK-tyoo-ayt).