How to pronounce speculate
Say it like SPEK-yuh-layt. Speculate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPEK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce speculate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SPEK
- yuh
- layt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Speculate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SPEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- yuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- laytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of speculate
American and British speakers say speculate in essentially the same way: /ˈspɛkjəˌleɪt/ in the US and /ˈspɛkjʊˌleɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: SPEK-yuu-layt.
What does speculate mean?
- To make an inference based on inconclusive evidence; to surmise or conjecture.
- To make a risky trade in the hope of making a profit; to venture or gamble.
- To anticipate which branch of code will be chosen and execute it in advance.
Where does speculate come from?
Borrowed from Latin speculātus, perfect active participle of speculor (“to watch, observe, examine, spy”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from specula (“a watchtower”), ultimately from speciō (“to look at”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying speculate
How do you pronounce speculate?
Say SPEK-yuh-layt. The American pronunciation is /ˈspɛkjəˌleɪt/. In British English it is /ˈspɛkjʊˌleɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in speculate?
Speculate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPEK). Broken into parts: SPEK · yuh · layt.
Do Americans and Brits say speculate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈspɛkjəˌleɪt/ and the British form is /ˈspɛkjʊˌleɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.