How to Pronounce “congregate”

British (UK)

/ˈkɒŋɡɹəɡeɪt/

verb — To collect into an assembly or assemblage; to bring into one place, or into a united body.

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˈkɒŋɡɹəɡeɪt/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “congregate” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “congregate” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkɒŋɡɹəɡeɪt/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈkɒŋɡɹəɡeɪt/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "congregate" mean?

congregate (verb): To collect into an assembly or assemblage; to bring into one place, or into a united body.

Which syllable is stressed in "congregate"?

“congregate” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkɒŋɡɹəɡeɪt/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.