How do you pronounce "initiate"?

In American English: /ˌɪˈnɪʃiːˌeɪt/ (i-NISH-ee-ayt). In British English: /ɪnˈɪʃɪˌeɪt/ (in-ISH-i-ayt). In Canadian English: /ˌɪˈnɪʃiːˌeɪt/ (i-NISH-ee-ayt). In Australian English: /ɪnˈɪʃɪˌeɪt/ (in-ISH-i-ayt).

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

Yes. In American English it's pronounced /ˌɪˈnɪʃiːˌeɪt/ (i-NISH-ee-ayt), while in British English it's /ɪnˈɪʃɪˌeɪt/ (in-ISH-i-ayt).

How to Pronounce "initiate"

🗣️pronounce.how

initiate

regional

/ˌɪˈnɪʃiːˌeɪt/

i-NISH-ee-ayt

Syllable Breakdown

ɪi·nɪʃni·iːti·eɪtate

Source

90%confidence📘 CMU Pronouncing Dictionary v0.7b

All Variants

Browse by Letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Edit on GitHub Report an issue

Last updated: 2026-02-14