excavate

Syllables:
ex·ca·va·te
4 syllables
excavate in syllables

About "excavate"

Syllables
4
Letters
8
Language
EN

How to Split "excavate" into Syllables

The word excavate is divided into 4 syllables: ex·ca·va·te. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.

📝 Syllable Breakdown

  • ex — 1st syllable
  • ca — 2nd syllable
  • va — 3rd syllable
  • te — 4th syllable

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

The phonetic transcription of excavate:

  • IPA: /ˈɛk.skə.veɪt/

Listen to Pronunciation

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📖 Definitions

  1. excavate (third-person singular simple present excavates, present participle excavating, simple past and past participle excavated)
  2. Douglas Harper (2001–2025), “excavate”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.

📚 Word Origin & History

First attested in 1599, from Latin excavātus (“hollowed out”), perfect passive participle of excavō (“to hollow out”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from ex (“out”) + cavō (“to hollow out, pierce”), from cavus (“cave, hole”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix). Participial usage up until Early Modern English. From a substantivization of Latin excavātus through the associated taxon's name (Excavata), see -ate (noun-forming suffix) and Etymolo...

✓ Why Learn Syllable Division?

Understanding how to break down excavate 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

📊 Similar Words Comparison

Compare excavate with related words to understand syllable patterns:

Word Syllables Division
excavate 4 ex·ca·va·te
except 2 ex-cept
expatiate 4 ex-pa-tia-te
Egypt 2 e-gypt
expedite 4 ex-pe-di-te

🔗 Related Words

Explore syllable divisions of words related to excavate:

excl, excel, exceed, except, excess, excise, excite, excuse.

Frequently Asked Questions About "excavate"

How many syllables does "excavate" have?

excavate has 4 syllables: ex·ca·va·te. The word is divided into 4 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.

Where is the stress in "excavate"?

The stress is on the first syllable: ex. This means you emphasize the "ex" part when pronouncing excavate.

How do you pronounce "excavate"?

excavate is pronounced as /ˈɛk.skə.veɪt/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: ex·ca·va·te.

Is "excavate" easy to spell?

Breaking excavate into syllables helps with spelling: ex·ca·va·te. By pronouncing each syllable separately, you can identify the letters more easily and avoid common spelling mistakes.

Why learn to divide "excavate" into syllables?

Learning syllable division helps with correct pronunciation, improved spelling, better reading fluency, and is useful for poetry and lyric writing where syllable counting matters. It's especially helpful for language learners.