English pronunciation · Words Starting with P

Plato Pronunciation

Plato is pronounced PLAY-toh, IPA /ˈpleɪtoʊ/.

PLAY-toh

US /ˈpleɪtoʊ/

Syllables: PLAY · toh (2 syllables, stress on syllable 1)

proper noun: The Athenian philosopher who studied under Socrates and taught Aristotle.

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Plato in a Sentence

  • Plato founded the Academy outside the city walls.
  • We read Plato in the first week of term.
  • Her argument owes a good deal to Plato.

Common Mispronunciations of Plato

Not PLAH-toh

The first vowel is the long ay of play, despite the single a in the spelling.

Not PLA-toh

A short flat a gives the Spanish word plato instead. Hold the opening syllable open and long.

Tip: The adjective moves the beat and changes the vowel: Platonic is pluh-TAH-nik.

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