How to Pronounce Alternate

To pronounce "alternate", say ALT-ern-at-e — 4 syllables. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

alternate

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Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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Syllables

Letters

ALT-ern-at-e

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"alternate" has 4 syllables: alt-ern-at-e. It rhymes with elucidate and articulate, if that helps it stick.

noun

That which alternates with something else; vicissitude.
A substitute; an alternative; one designated to take the place of another, if necessary, in performing some duty.

verb

To perform by turns, or in succession; to cause to succeed by turns; to interchange regularly.
To happen, succeed, or act by turns; to follow reciprocally in place or time; followed by with.
“The flood and ebb tides alternate with each other.”

adjective

Happening by turns; one following the other in succession of time or place; first one and then the other (repeatedly)
“alternate picking is a guitar playing technique”
Designating the members in a series, which regularly intervene between the members of another series, as the odd or even numbers of the numerals; every other; every second.
“the alternate members 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.”

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

How many syllables are in "alternate"?▾

"Alternate" has 4 syllables: alt · ern · at · e.

What does "alternate" mean?▾

Alternate: That which alternates with something else; vicissitude.

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