How to Pronounce “deteriorate”

American (US)

/dɪˈtɪɹ.iə.ɹeɪt/

British (UK)

/dɪˈtɪə.ɹɪə.ɹeɪt/

verb — To make worse; to make inferior in quality or value; to impair.

Example: to deteriorate the mind.

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

Where the stress falls. “deteriorate” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /dɪˈtɪɹ.iə.ɹeɪt/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /dɪˈtɪɹ.iə.ɹeɪt/ 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 "deteriorate" mean?

deteriorate (verb): To make worse; to make inferior in quality or value; to impair. For example — to deteriorate the mind.

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

American English: /dɪˈtɪɹ.iə.ɹeɪt/. British English: /dɪˈtɪə.ɹɪə.ɹeɪt/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "deteriorate"?

/dɪˈtɪɹ.iə.ɹeɪt/ in American English, /dɪˈtɪə.ɹɪə.ɹeɪt/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "deteriorate"?

“deteriorate” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /dɪˈtɪɹ.iə.ɹeɪt/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.