How to pronounce ultimate
Say it like UHL-tuh-mut. Ultimate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ultimate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- UHL
- tuh
- mut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ultimate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- UHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- mutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ultimate
American and British speakers say ultimate in essentially the same way: /ˈʌltəmət/ in the US and /ˈʌltɪmɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: UHL-tih-mit.
What does ultimate mean?
- furthest or highest in degree or order; utmost or extreme“the ultimate achievement”“the ultimate question”
- being the last or concluding element of a series“the ultimate sonata of that opus”“a distinction between the verb and noun senses of `conflict' is that in the verb the stress is on the ultimate (or last) syllable”
- the finest or most superior quality of its kind“the ultimate in luxury”
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying ultimate
How do you pronounce ultimate?
Say UHL-tuh-mut. The American pronunciation is /ˈʌltəmət/. In British English it is /ˈʌltɪmɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ultimate?
Ultimate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHL). Broken into parts: UHL · tuh · mut.
Do Americans and Brits say ultimate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈʌltəmət/ and the British form is /ˈʌltɪmɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.