How to pronounce vacate
Say it like VAY-kayt. Vacate has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce vacate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- VAY
- kayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Vacate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- VAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- kaytKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of vacate
American and British speakers say vacate in essentially the same way: /ˈveɪkeɪt/ in the US and /ˈveɪkeɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: VAY-kayt.
What does vacate mean?
- To move out of a dwelling or other property, either by choice or by eviction.“I have to vacate my house by midday, as the new owner is moving in.”
- To leave an office or position.“He vacated his coaching position because of the corruption scandal.”
- To have a court judgment set aside; to annul.“The judge vacated the earlier decision when new evidence was presented.”
Where does vacate come from?
The primary modern sense "to move out" likely developed under the influence of older borrowing vacant (“unoccupied”), in combination with the Early Modern use of vacate to refer to the termination of official appointments to office, which w
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with vacate
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of vacate.
Questions about saying vacate
How do you pronounce vacate?
Say VAY-kayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈveɪkeɪt/. In British English it is /ˈveɪkeɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in vacate?
Vacate has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VAY). Broken into parts: VAY · kayt.
Do Americans and Brits say vacate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈveɪkeɪt/ and the British form is /ˈveɪkeɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.