prevaricate

Syllables:
pre·va·ri·ca·te
5 syllables
prevaricate in syllables

About "prevaricate"

Syllables
5
Letters
11
Language
EN

How to Split "prevaricate" into Syllables

The word prevaricate is divided into 5 syllables: pre·va·ri·ca·te. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.

📝 Syllable Breakdown

  • pre — 1st syllable
  • va — 2nd syllable
  • ri — 3rd syllable
  • ca — 4th syllable
  • te — 5th syllable

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

The phonetic transcription of prevaricate:

  • IPA: /pɹɪˈvaɹɪkeɪt/

Listen to Pronunciation

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📖 Definitions

  1. prevaricate (third-person singular simple present prevaricates, present participle prevaricating, simple past and past participle prevaricated)
  2. “prevaricate”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

📚 Word Origin & History

From the participle stem of Latin praevāricārī (“to walk crookedly; to play a false or double part”), from prae- + vāricāre (“to stand with feet apart, straddle”), from vāricus (“with feet spread apart”).

✓ Why Learn Syllable Division?

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

Word Syllables Division
prevaricate 5 pre·va·ri·ca·te
perversity 4 per-ver-si-ty
preprocessed 4 pre-pro-cess-ed
prefabricate 5 pre-fa-bri-ca-te

🔗 Related Words

Explore syllable divisions of words related to prevaricate:

pref, prep, pres, prey, preen, press, preach, preamp.

Frequently Asked Questions About "prevaricate"

How many syllables does "prevaricate" have?

prevaricate has 5 syllables: pre·va·ri·ca·te. The word is divided into 5 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.

Where is the stress in "prevaricate"?

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

How do you pronounce "prevaricate"?

prevaricate is pronounced as /pɹɪˈvaɹɪkeɪt/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: pre·va·ri·ca·te.

Is "prevaricate" easy to spell?

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

Why learn to divide "prevaricate" 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.