How to pronounce salivate
Say it like SAL-uh-vayt. Salivate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SAL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce salivate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SAL
- uh
- vayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Salivate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SALSay 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.
- vaytKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of salivate
American and British speakers say salivate in essentially the same way: /ˈsæləveɪt/ in the US and /ˈsælɪveɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: SAL-ih-vayt.
What does salivate mean?
- To produce saliva.
- To show eager anticipation at the expectation of something.“He's been salivating over the latest model sports car for a while now.”
Where does salivate come from?
From Latin salivatus, past participle of salivare (“to spit out, also salivate”), from saliva (“spittle”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying salivate
How do you pronounce salivate?
Say SAL-uh-vayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈsæləveɪt/. In British English it is /ˈsælɪveɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in salivate?
Salivate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SAL). Broken into parts: SAL · uh · vayt.
Do Americans and Brits say salivate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsæləveɪt/ and the British form is /ˈsælɪveɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.