captivate

How to Split "captivate" into Syllables

The word captivate is divided into 4 syllables: cap·ti·va·te. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.

📝 Syllable Breakdown

• cap — 1st syllable
• ti — 2nd syllable
• va — 3rd syllable
• te — 4th syllable

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

The phonetic transcription of captivate:

• IPA: /ˈkæptɪveɪt/

📖 Definitions

1. captivate (third-person singular simple present captivates, present participle captivating, simple past and past participle captivated) (transitive)
2. To make (a person, an animal, etc.) a captive; to take prisoner; to capture, to subdue.

📚 Word Origin & History

Learned borrowing from Late Latin captīvātus, the perfect passive participle of captīvō (“to capture”), from Latin captīvus (“captive, prisoner”) (ultimately from capiō (“to capture, seize”), from Proto-Indo-European *keh₂p- (“to hold; to seize”)) + -ō (suffix forming first-conjugation verbs). Equivalent to captive +‎ -ate (verb-forming suffix). See Etymology 1. Equivalent to captive +‎ -ate (adjective-forming suffix)

✓ Why Learn Syllable Division?

Understanding how to break down captivate into syllables helps with:

• Correct pronunciation — Knowing syllable structure ensures accurate speech
• Improved spelling — Breaking words into chunks makes them easier to remember and write
• Reading fluency — Recognizing syllable patterns speeds up reading comprehension
• Poetry and lyrics — Syllable counting is essential for meter and rhythm
• Language learning — Non-native speakers benefit from syllable awareness

🔗 Related Words

Explore syllable divisions of words related to captivate:

CAP, cape, Caph, capo, capt, Capek, caper, Capet.