English pronunciation · Words Starting with C

Contemplate Pronunciation

Contemplate is pronounced KAHN-tuhm-playt, IPA /ˈkɑntəmˌpleɪt/.

KAHN-tuhm-playt

US /ˈkɑntəmˌpleɪt/  ·  UK /ˈkɒntɪmˌpleɪt/

Syllables: KAHN · tuhm · playt (3 syllables, stress on syllable 1)

verb: To think about something carefully and for a long time.

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Contemplate in a Sentence

  • She sat down to contemplate the offer.
  • He would not even contemplate moving house.
  • They contemplate the sea from the terrace every evening.

Common Mispronunciations of Contemplate

Not kuhn-TEM-playt

British dictionaries do list that reading, but the usual American form leads on KAHN and lets the middle beat go slack.

Not KAHN-tuhm-plat

A long ay of plate closes the word, which is exactly where the spelling points.

Tip: Contemplate, contemplation and contemplative each put the volume in a different place.

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