How to Pronounce “decimate”

American (US)

/ˈdɛsəmeɪt/

British (UK)

/ˈdɛsɪmeɪt/

verb — To kill one-tenth of (a group), as a military punishment in the Roman army selected by lot, usually carried out by the surviving soldiers.

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

Where the stress falls. “decimate” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈdɛsəmeɪt/ 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. /ˈdɛsəmeɪt/ 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 "decimate" mean?

decimate (verb): To kill one-tenth of (a group), as a military punishment in the Roman army selected by lot, usually carried out by the surviving soldiers.

How do you pronounce "decimate" in American vs British English?

American English: /ˈdɛsəmeɪt/. British English: /ˈdɛsɪmeɪt/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "decimate"?

/ˈdɛsəmeɪt/ in American English, /ˈdɛsɪmeɪt/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "decimate"?

“decimate” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈdɛsəmeɪt/ 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.