How to pronounce vibrate
Say it like VY-brayt. Vibrate has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce vibrate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- VY
- brayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Vibrate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- VYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- braytKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of vibrate
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2.
British respelling: vy-BRAYT.
What does vibrate mean?
- To shake with small, rapid movements to and fro.
- To resonate.“Her mind was vibrating with excitement.”
- To brandish; to swing to and fro.
- The setting, on a portable electronic device, that causes it to vibrate rather than sound any (or most) needed alarms.“Please put your cellphones on vibrate for the duration of the meeting.”
- Vibrating with (something).
Where does vibrate come from?
The adjective (then also used as a participle) is first attested in 1420, in Middle English, the verb in 1620; partly from Middle English vibrat(e) (“reverberant”), partly directly borrowed from Latin vibrātus, perfect passive participle of
Questions about saying vibrate
How do you pronounce vibrate?
Say VY-brayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈvaɪbreɪt/. In British English it is /vaɪˈbreɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in vibrate?
Vibrate has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VY). Broken into parts: VY · brayt.
Is vibrate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2. The British form is /vaɪˈbreɪt/ (vy-BRAYT).