How to pronounce verbatim
Say it like ver-BAY-tum. Verbatim has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce verbatim. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ver
- BAY
- tum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Verbatim pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- verKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- BAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- tumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of verbatim
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: vur-BAY-tim.
What does verbatim mean?
- Corresponding with the original word for word.
- Able to take down a speech word for word, especially in shorthand.
- Word for word; in exactly the same words as were used originally.“I have copied his speech verbatim, so this is exactly what he said, word for word.”
- A word-for-word report of a speech.
Where does verbatim come from?
Attested in English since 1481 (therefore considered a Middle English derivation by some): from Medieval Latin verbātim (“word for word”), from Latin verbum (“word”) + -ātim (adverbial suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with verbatim
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of verbatim.
Questions about saying verbatim
How do you pronounce verbatim?
Say ver-BAY-tum. The American pronunciation is /vɚˈbeɪtəm/. In British English it is /vɜːˈbeɪtɪm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in verbatim?
Verbatim has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BAY). Broken into parts: ver · BAY · tum.
Is verbatim pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /vɜːˈbeɪtɪm/ (vur-BAY-tim).