How to pronounce ratify
Say it like RAT-uh-fy. Ratify has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RAT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ratify. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- RAT
- uh
- fy
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ratify pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RATSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- fyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of ratify
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: RAT-uh-fy.
What does ratify mean?
- To give formal consent to; make officially valid, to sign off on.“They ratified the treaty.”
Where does ratify come from?
From Middle English ratifien, from Old French ratifier, from Medieval Latin ratifico, from Latin ratus (“reckoned”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying ratify
How do you pronounce ratify?
Say RAT-uh-fy. The American pronunciation is /ˈrætəˌfaɪ/. In British English it is /ˈrætəˌfaɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ratify?
Ratify has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RAT). Broken into parts: RAT · uh · fy.
Is ratify pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈrætəˌfaɪ/ (RAT-uh-fy).