3 syllables: Con, se, crate. Stress on Con.
KAHN-suh-krayt
/ˈkɑnsəˌkɹeɪt/
Consecrate is pronounced KAHN-suh-krayt (/ˈkɑnsəˌkɹeɪt/). It has three syllables (Con-se-crate), with the stress on "Con". Consecrate is a verb meaning to declare something sacred or to dedicate it formally for a religious or ceremonial purpose. It often implies a solemn act, setting apart a person, place, or object for holy use. In broader usage, it can also mean to devote wholly to a particular goal or cause.
verbConsecrate is a verb meaning to declare something sacred or to dedicate it formally for a religious or ceremonial purpose. It often implies a solemn act, setting apart a person, place, or object for holy use. In broader usage, it can also mean to devote wholly to a particular goal or cause.
"The priest will consecrate the bread and wine during the ceremony."
"They decided to consecrate the new chapel with a special blessing."
"The team dedicated themselves and consecrated their efforts to a worthy cause."
Pronounce as /ˈkɒn.sɪ.kreɪt/ in UK English or /ˈkɑːn.sɪ.kreɪt/ in US English. The primary stress is on the first syllable: CON-si-kate, with a clear 'kon' and an elongated 'kreɪt' ending. The middle syllable is a light, unstressed 'si'. The final 'ate' is pronounced as /eɪt/, not as a separate vowel, so it sounds like 'kate' without a hard 'k' after the 's'. For audio reference, listen to model pronunciations on Pronounce or Forvo and mimic the tense, rounded lips of the /ɪ/ in the middle syllable and the crisp diphthong /eɪ/ in the final syllable.
Common errors include flattening the middle syllable to a full 'si' as in 'con-si-crete' with a weak final /t/ or misplacing the primary stress. Some speakers mispronounce as /ˈkɒn.sɪ.ˈkɹeɪt/ with an extra syllable or mispronounce the final /eɪt/ as /ɪt/. The correct approach keeps /ˈkɒn/ (or /ˈkɑːn/ US) with a fast, lightly stressed /sɪ/ and a clean, long /eɪt/ at the end. Focus on maintaining the first syllable stress and a distinct /kreɪt/ at the end without inserting extra vowels.
In US English, it usually surfaces as /ˈkɑn.sɪ.kreɪt/ with rhoticity influencing the first vowel; UK English tends to /ˈkɒn.sɪ.kreɪt/ with non-rhoticity and a shorter 'o' vowel in the first syllable. Australian English aligns closely with UK patterns, often /ˈkɒn.sɪ.kreɪt/ but with slightly broader vowel qualities. The middle 'si' remains unstressed in all, and the final 'ate' remains a clear /eɪt/. The key differences are vowel quality and rhotic vs non-rhotic tendencies.
The difficulty lies in balancing the syllable stresses and the transitions between the consonant cluster /n/ and /s/ before the /ɪ/ and /kreɪt/. The middle syllable must remain light while sustaining the strong initial stress. The final /eɪt/ must be crisp and not de-tensed into /ə/. Additionally, non-native speakers often insert an extra vowel between /n/ and /s/ or misrecognize the /kreɪt/ as /krət/ or /kreɪt/. Practicing the exact IPA sequence helps stabilize the rhythm and clarity.
Yes. The prefix /kɒn-/ (UK) or /ˈkɑn-/ (US) includes a short, rounded vowel in the first syllable. It’s not a silent or reduced vowel; you should pronounce a quick, rounded /ɒ/ (UK) or /ɑ/ (US) as in 'con' in 'consonant'. This initial vowel should be distinct from the unstressed middle /sɪ/ and should not merge with the final /kreɪt/. Ensuring the first vowel is clearly heard helps maintain the correct overall rhythm.
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Consecrate comes from the Latin con- ‘together’ + sacrare ‘to sacralize, dedicate, make sacred,’ which itself derives from sacer ‘sacred’ (related to sacrum and sacred). The verb passed into Old French as consecrer, then into English in the late 14th century with the sense of making something sacred or setting it apart by religious rite. Over time, the meaning extended to secular contexts meaning to dedicate something entirely to a purpose, often with solemn seriousness. The term has maintained a strong ceremonial connotation in religion, especially within Christianity, where consecration describes rites that sanctify objects, places, or persons. First known uses appear in religious texts of the medieval period, where kings, bishops, and altars were consecrated through explicit acts and prayers. In modern usage, the word can also describe dedicated commitment to a cause or task, retaining the sense of setting something apart for a higher purpose.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Consecrate" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Consecrate"
-ate sounds
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