How to pronounce "mutilate" in EnglishNoun
ˈmjuː.tɪ.leɪt
MYOO·tih·layt
Primary stress: MYOO
We haven’t indexed spoken video clips for this word in our library yet. You can listen to its audio pronunciation, review phonetic IPA, and check definitions below.
No video clips indexed yet for “mutilate”
We haven’t indexed spoken video clips for this word in our library yet. You can listen to its audio pronunciation, review phonetic IPA, and check definitions below.
Linguistic Pronunciation Masterclass: “mutilate”
Phonetic mechanics, syllable architecture, and conversational cadence
Syllable Architecture & Stress Distribution
MYOO
Gliding diphthong with sustained vocal resonance.
tih
Reduced vowel sound, relaxed jaw, and minimal vocal effort.
layt
Reduced vowel sound, relaxed jaw, and minimal vocal effort.
Primary emphasis falls on the first syllable ("MYOO"). Raise your pitch and sustain the vowel length on this syllable while relaxing the surrounding syllables.
Common Pronunciation Traps & Learner Mistakes
The Trap: Pronouncing a hard, aspirated [tʰ] in casual conversation can sound overly formal in North America.
How Native Speakers Say It: In American English, a single "t" between vowels quickly taps against the alveolar ridge like a soft "d" ([ɾ]). In British English, maintain a crisp aspirated [tʰ].
Connected Speech & Natural Conversational Flow
When followed by a vowel, insert a subtle glide (/w/ or /j/) to connect into the subsequent word without an abrupt glottal stop.
Maintain the stress-timed rhythm of English: compress unstressed syllables rapidly so the beat of "mutilate" aligns naturally with adjacent words.
Practice Speaking “mutilate”
Listen to native pronunciation, record yourself repeating the sentence into your microphone, and receive real-time word-by-word accuracy scoring.
mutilated currency
Hear it in context: “mutilate”
The English word “mutilate” is transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as ˈmjuː.tɪ.leɪt (phonetic respelling: MYOO-tih-layt). Phonologically, it consists of 3 syllables (MYOO · tih · layt), with primary lexical stress placed on the 1st (initial) syllable (MYOO). Grammatically, “mutilate” functions as a verb, adjective, noun and acts as an English heteronym where syllable stress shifts between noun (initial-syllable stress) and verb (second-syllable stress) usage. Hear native speakers say mutilate in context across real video clips
Definition & Meaning: “mutilate”
- To physically harm as to impair use, notably by cutting off or otherwise disabling a vital part, such as a limb.
- To destroy beyond recognition.
- Deprived of, or having lost, an important part; mutilated.
- Having fin-like appendages or flukes instead of legs, like a cetacean does.
- Something that has been mutilated.
Example Sentences (2)
- “mutilated currency”
- “mutilate and semi-bodies”
Pronounce: “mutilate”
- Pronunciation:
- MYOO-tih-layt
- Syllables:
- MYOO · tih · layt
- Written Hyphenation:
- mu · ti · late
- Primary stress:
- MYOO
- IPA:
- ˈmjuː.tɪ.leɪt
- Hear it in context
- mutilate
Words that Rhyme with “mutilate”
-utɪleɪtWords that Sound Identical (Homophones)
Unique Sound"mutilate" (⁄ˈmjuː.tɪ.leɪt⁄) has no true homophones in standard English — there are no other words with identical pronunciation. Unlike sound-alike pairs like there / their or peace / piece, "mutilate" has a completely distinct phonetic identity.
Frequently asked questions about mutilate
How do you pronounce “mutilate”?
“mutilate” is pronounced ⁄ˈmjuː.tɪ.leɪt⁄ (MYOO-tih-layt). Listen to the audio pronunciation above to hear it spoken clearly.
How many syllables are in “mutilate”?
“mutilate” has 3 syllables: MYOO · tih · layt.
Where is the stress in “mutilate”?
The primary stress in “mutilate” is on “MYOO”.
What does “mutilate” mean?
To physically harm as to impair use, notably by cutting off or otherwise disabling a vital part, such as a limb.
What is the most common pronunciation mistake when saying “mutilate”?
Pronouncing a hard, aspirated [tʰ] in casual conversation can sound overly formal in North America. In American English, a single "t" between vowels quickly taps against the alveolar ridge like a soft "d" ([ɾ]). In British English, maintain a crisp aspirated [tʰ].