How to pronounce stimulate
Say it like STIM-yuh-layt. Stimulate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STIM).
- STIM
- yuh
- layt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Stimulate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- STIMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- 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 stimulate
American and British speakers say stimulate in essentially the same way: /ˈstɪmjəˌleɪt/ in the US and /ˈstɪmjʊˌleɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: STIM-yuu-layt.
What does stimulate mean?
- To encourage into action.“stimulate the economy”
- To arouse an organism to functional activity.“stimulate my mind”
Where does stimulate come from?
Borrowed from Latin stimulātus, perfect passive participle of stimulō (“to urge, goad on”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from Latin stimulus (“a sting or prick; a stimulus, goad”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying stimulate
How do you pronounce stimulate?
Say STIM-yuh-layt. The American pronunciation is /ˈstɪmjəˌleɪt/. In British English it is /ˈstɪmjʊˌleɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in stimulate?
Stimulate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STIM). Broken into parts: STIM · yuh · layt.
Do Americans and Brits say stimulate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈstɪmjəˌleɪt/ and the British form is /ˈstɪmjʊˌleɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.