How to pronounce tergiversate
Say it like tur-JIV-ur-sayt. Tergiversate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (JIV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tergiversate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- tur
- JIV
- ur
- sayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tergiversate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- turKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- JIVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- urKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- saytKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of tergiversate
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 1.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TUR-jih-vuh-sayt.
What does tergiversate mean?
- To evade, to equivocate using subterfuge; to obfuscate in a deliberate manner.
- To change sides or affiliation; to apostatize.
- To flee by turning one's back.
Where does tergiversate come from?
Borrowed from Latin tergiversātus, perfect active participle of tergiversor (“to evade, to avoid, to turn one's back on”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from tergum (“back, hind”) + versor (“to turn”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying tergiversate
How do you pronounce tergiversate?
Say tur-JIV-ur-sayt. The American pronunciation is /tɝˈdʒɪvɝseɪt/. In British English it is /ˈtɜːdʒɪvəseɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tergiversate?
Tergiversate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (JIV). Broken into parts: tur · JIV · ur · sayt.
Is tergiversate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 1. The British form is /ˈtɜːdʒɪvəseɪt/ (TUR-jih-vuh-sayt).