How do you pronounce "activate"?

In American English: /ˈæktəˌveɪt/ (AKT-uh-vayt). In British English: /ˈæktɪvˌeɪt/ (AKT-iv-ayt). In Canadian English: /ˈæktəˌveɪt/ (AKT-uh-vayt). In Australian English: /ˈaktɪvˌeɪt/ (AKT-iv).

Is "activate" pronounced differently in American and British English?

Yes. In American English it's pronounced /ˈæktəˌveɪt/ (AKT-uh-vayt), while in British English it's /ˈæktɪvˌeɪt/ (AKT-iv-ayt).

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activate

regional

/ˈæktəˌveɪt/

AKT-uh-vayt

Syllable Breakdown

æktac·əti·veɪtvate

Source

90%confidence📘 CMU Pronouncing Dictionary v0.7b

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Last updated: 2026-02-12