How to pronounce separate
Say it like SEP-uh-rayt. Separate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEP).
- SEP
- uh
- rayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: Adjective: 'SEP-rit'. Verb: 'SEP-uh-rayt'.
Separate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SEPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- raytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of separate
American and British speakers say separate in essentially the same way: /ˈsɛpəˌreɪt/ in the US and /ˈsɛpərɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: SEP-uh-rit.
What does separate mean?
- To divide (a thing) into separate parts.“Separate the articles from the headings.”
- To disunite from a group or mass; to disconnect.
- To cause (things or people) to be separate.“If the kids get too noisy, separate them for a few minutes.”
- Apart from (the rest); not connected to or attached to (anything else).“This chair can be disassembled into five separate pieces.”
- Not together (with); not united (to).“I try to keep my personal life separate from work.”
- Anything that is sold by itself, especially articles of clothing such as blouses, skirts, jackets, and pants.
- A printing of an article from a periodical as its own distinct publication and distributed independently, often with different page numbers.
Where does separate come from?
Doublet of sever, also derived from the same Latin verb.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- partition
- split
- becut
- decide
- differentiate
- disaggregate
- disassemble
- discriminate
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying separate
How do you pronounce separate?
Say SEP-uh-rayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɛpəˌreɪt/. In British English it is /ˈsɛpərɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in separate?
Separate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEP). Broken into parts: SEP · uh · rayt.
Do Americans and Brits say separate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɛpəˌreɪt/ and the British form is /ˈsɛpərɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.