obligate

Syllables:
o·bli·ga·te
4 syllables
obligate in syllables

About "obligate"

Syllables
4
Letters
8
Language
EN

How to Split "obligate" into Syllables

The word obligate is divided into 4 syllables: o·bli·ga·te. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.

📝 Syllable Breakdown

  • o — 1st syllable
  • bli — 2nd syllable
  • ga — 3rd syllable
  • te — 4th syllable

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

The phonetic transcription of obligate:

  • IPA: /ˈɒb.lɪˌɡeɪt/

Listen to Pronunciation

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📖 Definitions

  1. obligate (third-person singular simple present obligates, present participle obligating, simple past and past participle obligated)
  2. In non-legal usage, almost exclusively used in the passive, in form “obligated to X” where ‘X’ is a verb infinitive or noun phrase, as in “obligated to pay”. Further, it is now in standard use only in American English and some dialects such as Scottish, having disappeared from standard British English by the 20th century, being replaced by obliged (it was previously used in the 17th through 19th centuries).

📚 Word Origin & History

First attested in 1533; borrowed from Latin obligātus, perfect passive participle of obligō, see -ate (verb-forming suffix). Doublet of oblige, taken through French. Partly inherited from Middle English obligat(e) (“bound (by any obligation), obliged”), partly directly borrowed from Latin obligātus, see Etymology 1, -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and -ate (noun-forming suffix) for more.

✓ Why Learn Syllable Division?

Understanding how to break down obligate 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 obligate with related words to understand syllable patterns:

Word Syllables Division
obligate 4 o·bli·ga·te
obliged 3 o-blig-ed
obliquity 4 o-bli-qui-ty
obbligato 3 obbli-ga-to

🔗 Related Words

Explore syllable divisions of words related to obligate:

oblate, oblige, oblong, obliged, oblique, obloquy, oblation, obliging.

Frequently Asked Questions About "obligate"

How many syllables does "obligate" have?

obligate has 4 syllables: o·bli·ga·te. The word is divided into 4 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.

Where is the stress in "obligate"?

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

How do you pronounce "obligate"?

obligate is pronounced as /ˈɒb.lɪˌɡeɪt/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: o·bli·ga·te.

Is "obligate" easy to spell?

Breaking obligate into syllables helps with spelling: o·bli·ga·te. By pronouncing each syllable separately, you can identify the letters more easily and avoid common spelling mistakes.

Why learn to divide "obligate" 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.