How to pronounce stalemate
Say it like STAYL-mayt. Stalemate has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STAYL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce stalemate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- STAYL
- mayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Stalemate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- STAYLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- maytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of stalemate
American and British speakers say stalemate in essentially the same way: /ˈsteɪlˌmeɪt/ in the US and /ˈsteɪlˌmeɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: STAYL-mayt.
What does stalemate mean?
- The state in which the player to move is not in check but has no legal moves, resulting in a draw.
- Any situation that has no obvious possible movement, but involves no personal loss.
- Any kind of match in which neither contestant laid claim to victory; a draw.
- To bring about a state in which the player to move is not in check but has no legal moves.
- To bring about a stalemate, in which no advance in an argument is achieved.
Where does stalemate come from?
From stale + mate.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying stalemate
How do you pronounce stalemate?
Say STAYL-mayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈsteɪlˌmeɪt/. In British English it is /ˈsteɪlˌmeɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in stalemate?
Stalemate has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STAYL). Broken into parts: STAYL · mayt.
Do Americans and Brits say stalemate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsteɪlˌmeɪt/ and the British form is /ˈsteɪlˌmeɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.