2 syllables: de, spatch. Stress on spatch.
dis-PACH
/dɪˈspætʃ/
despatch is pronounced dis-PACH (/dɪˈspætʃ/). It has two syllables (de-spatch), with the stress on "spatch". Despatch is a verb or noun meaning to send off or away, especially with purpose or speed, or an act of sending something. In British usage it commonly means to dispatch or forward something (e.g., emergency despatch). In some contexts it also appears as the noun meaning the act of sending, or an official shipment. It emphasizes promptness and deliberate action.
Despatch is a verb or noun meaning to send off or away, especially with purpose or speed, or an act of sending something. In British usage it commonly means to dispatch or forward something (e.g., emergency despatch). In some contexts it also appears as the noun meaning the act of sending, or an official shipment. It emphasizes promptness and deliberate action.
- Misplacing stress on the first syllable, saying /ˈdɛspætʃ/ instead of /dɪˈspætʃ/; practice with a pillowy, balanced vowel in the first syllable and then crisp secondary stress. - Slurring the /t/ into /tʃ/ producing /dɪˈspæʃ/; keep the /t/ distinct: /t/ before /ʃ/ is a quick release. - Pronouncing the middle vowel as /eɪ/ or /iː/; aim for a short /æ/ or near-schwa depending on dialect, keeping it short and crisp. - Dropping the /d/ sound in fast speech, leading to /ɪˈspætʃ/; ensure the initial /d/ is audible. - In rapid speech, the second syllable may be reduced; practice with slow articulation, then speed up to maintain the two-syllable integrity.
"The courier will despatch the parcel to your address today."
"The project team despatched a preliminary report to the client."
"She promised to despatch the letter before the post closes."
Despatch is typically pronounced /dɪˈspætʃ/ in US and UK English, with the stress on the second syllable. In British practice you may also hear /dɪˈspætʃ/ as the common form, while Australian pronunciation aligns closely with /dɪˈspætʃ/ or /dəˈspætʃ/. Tip: start with the /d/ stop, then the short i as in “kit,” followed by the “spat” syllable with a crisp /æ/ before the /tʃ/.
Common mistakes include pronouncing the second syllable as a long /eɪ/ (as in ‘despaych’) or slurring the /t/ into /ʃ/ causing /dɪˈspæʃ/. Correct by enforcing a clear /æ/ in the middle and a distinct /t/ before /ʃ/. Another error is stressing the wrong syllable: desPATCH with stress on the second or third sound. Keep stress on the second syllable: /dɪˈspætʃ/ and articulate the /t/ crisply before the affricate /tʃ/.
In US English, despatch often lands as /dɪˈspætʃ/ with reduced vowel in first syllable; in UK English, you’ll hear /dɪˈspætʃ/ or /diːˈspætʃ/ with a lighter first vowel in some dialects; Australian English closely mirrors UK, often /dɪˈspætʃ/ but with slight vowel flattening. The key differences lie in vowel quality and rhoticity: US is non-rhotic in many regions, while UK/AU preserve non-rhoticity as well; the main vowel /æ/ remains central. Phonemic emphasis remains on the second syllable.
The difficulty centers on the seamless transition from /d/ to /ɪ/ and then to the /spæ/ cluster leading into /tʃ/. The /t/ before /ʃ/ can blur in rapid speech, and English learners often misplace stress or misarticulate the /æ/ vowel. Focus on crisp articulation of the /t/ before /ʃ/, maintain a short, lax /ɪ/ in the first syllable, and keep the vowel in /æ/ distinct. Practicing with minimal pairs helps cement the /æ/ quality and the /tʃ/ onset.
Yes—despatch is spelled with -despatch but pronounced with a short, sharp second syllable; the letter sequence 'spat' requires a quick, precise /spæ/ before the /tʃ/ onset. Some speakers reduce the /ɪ/ to a schwa before the consonant cluster in rapid speech, potentially producing /dɪˈspætʃ/ rather than /dɪˈspæʃ/; pay attention to the exact /t/ before /ʃ/ and keep the /æ/ clear.
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- US: Non-rhotic tendency in some regions; vowel in first syllable can be lax, so /dɪˈspætʃ/. The /æ/ tends to be more open; keep jaw drop moderate. - UK: Often a tighter /ɪ/ in the first vowel and crisper /t/; /dɪˈspætʃ/ common; non-rhotic. - AU: Similar to UK, with slightly broader vowels; /dɪˈspætʃ/ is typical, but you may hear a slightly longer first vowel in careful speech. IPA: US /dɪˈspætʃ/, UK /dɪˈspætʃ/, AU /dɪˈspætʃ/. - General tip: keep the /sp/ cluster clean, avoid a palatalized /s/; ensure /t/ releases before /ʃ/.
Despatch originates from the Old French despaissier meaning to spread out, from des- (a variant of de- indicating removal or separation) and paissier (to spread or lay out). In Middle English, the term appeared as despasshen or despaschen with senses relating to spreading, dispatching, or sending forth. The root idea shifted toward sending or sending away, often with immediacy or efficiency. In the Royal Navy and British contexts, despatch evolved into a noun for an official report or shipment, separate from the verb “dispatch.” By the 19th century, both spellings despatch and dispatch coexisted, with “despatch” retaining stronger usage in UK English historically and in certain legal or formal documents, while “dispatch” became the dominant form in American English. In modern usage, despatch maintains nuanced meanings of urgent sending, whereas dispatch is broader and more common in general American practice. First known uses appear in court records and shipping logs from the 16th-17th centuries, cementing its role in logistics and communications.
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Words that rhyme with "despatch"
-tch sounds
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