How to pronounce undulate
Say it like UHN-juh-layt. Undulate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHN).
- UHN
- juh
- layt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Undulate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- UHNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- juhKeep 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 undulate
American and British speakers say undulate in essentially the same way: /ˈʌndʒəˌleɪt/ in the US and /ˈʌndjəleɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: UHN-dyuh-layt.
What does undulate mean?
- To cause to move in a wavelike motion.
- To cause to resemble a wave.
- To move in wavelike motions.“His tongue undulated.”
- Wavy in appearance or form.
- Changing the pitch and volume of one's voice.
- sinuous, winding up and down.
Where does undulate come from?
First attested in 1664; borrowed from New Latin undulātus, the perfect passive participle of undulō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from an unattested *undula (“small wave”), diminutive of Latin unda (“wave”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying undulate
How do you pronounce undulate?
Say UHN-juh-layt. The American pronunciation is /ˈʌndʒəˌleɪt/. In British English it is /ˈʌndjəleɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in undulate?
Undulate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHN). Broken into parts: UHN · juh · layt.
Do Americans and Brits say undulate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈʌndʒəˌleɪt/ and the British form is /ˈʌndjəleɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.