How to Pronounce “disparate”

American (US)

/ˈdɪsp(ə)ɹət/

British (UK)

/ˈdɪsp(ə)ɹət/

adjective — Essentially different in kind; not able to be compared.

Example: The report pulls together disparate sources.

Synonyms: dissimilar, varied

Antonyms: similar, uniform

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˈdɪsp(ə)ɹət/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “disparate” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “disparate” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈdɪsp(ə)ɹət/ 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. /ˈdɪsp(ə)ɹət/ 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 "disparate" mean?

disparate (adjective): Essentially different in kind; not able to be compared. For example — The report pulls together disparate sources.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "disparate", /ˈdɪsp(ə)ɹət/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.

What is the IPA transcription of "disparate"?

/ˈdɪsp(ə)ɹət/ in American English, /ˈdɪsp(ə)ɹət/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "disparate"?

“disparate” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈdɪsp(ə)ɹət/ 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.