4 syllables: Es, ca, la, tor. Stress on Es.
ES-kuh-lay-tur
/ˈɛskəˌleɪtɚ/
Escalator is pronounced ES-kuh-lay-tur (/ˈɛskəˌleɪtɚ/). It has four syllables (Es-ca-la-tor), with the stress on "Es". Escalator is a powered moving staircase that transports people between floors in buildings. It is a noun used to describe the device, typically stationary at security or gate areas, and activated to carry passengers upward or downward. The term combines escalade/scale notions with -ator suffix, denoting an instrument or device for ascent or descent.
nounEscalator is a powered moving staircase that transports people between floors in buildings. It is a noun used to describe the device, typically stationary at security or gate areas, and activated to carry passengers upward or downward. The term combines escalade/scale notions with -ator suffix, denoting an instrument or device for ascent or descent.
"The hotel lobby features a wide escalator near the entrance."
"An escalator can be faster than stairs during rush hour."
"Please stand clear of the gap as the escalator begins to move."
Escalator is pronounced as /ɪˈskæləˌtɔːr/ in US English, with primary stress on the second syllable: es-CA-la-tor. The first vowel is short i, the second syllable features a low back lax vowel in American speech, and the final -tor is an unstressed or lightly stressed /tɔːr/ sequence. For UK: /ɪˈskæl.ə.tɔː/ with similar stress pattern; AU mirrors US in rhythm. Focus on keeping the middle syllables compact and the final -tor pronounced clearly as /tɔː/. Audio references: you can compare with Forvo or pronunciation videos showing stressed syllables in context.
Common mistakes include misplacing the stress (saying es-CA-la-tor with wrong primary stress) and rounding the /ɔː/ too early, becoming /ɪˈskælələ/ or /ɪˈskæləto/. Another error is pronouncing the last syllable too quickly or as a schwa, like /-tər/ instead of /-tɔːr/. To correct: emphasize the -la- syllable with the /æ/ vowel, ensure the final /ɔːr/ is fuller and not shortened, and maintain a clean separation between the /k/ and /l/ sequences. Practicing with 2-3 slow repetitions helps lock the rhythm.
In US English, the final syllable tends to be a clear /tɔːr/ with rhotic r; in UK English, you’ll often hear /tɔː/ with non-rhotic r sounding weaker or silent in some accents; in Australian English, /ɪˈskæl.ə.tɔː/ with a slightly broader vowel quality and a less pronounced r in non-rhotic contexts. The middle /æ/ tends to be bright in all accents. The primary stress remains on the second syllable across accents, though vowel length and rhoticity vary.
The challenges include stacking multiple short vowels and consonants in a row without a strong pause: /ɪˈskæl.əˌtɔːr/. The shift from the /æ/ in the stressed syllable to a lighter schwa-like sequence /ə/ in the second half requires careful timing, and final /ɔːr/ can be tricky for learners unfamiliar with rhotic vs non-rhotic endings. Practicing the transition from /sk/ cluster to /kl/ and then to /t/ helps prevent consonant merging and preserves syllable integrity.
Why does the word escalate- or escal- come into play with ‘escalator’ and how does linking affect pronunciation? The root escal- comes from Latin escalare meaning to climb; in connected speech you often link the /l/ of the second syllable into the next consonant, particularly when followed by a vowel in rapid speech, creating a smooth transition from /skæl/ to /lə/ and then /tɔːr/. This is a natural, speed-related phenomenon that affects clarity in fast announcements.
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Escalator derives from the verb escalate, meaning to climb or rise, with the agentive -ator suffix forming a device or tool. The root escalate comes from Latin escalatus (past participle of escalare, to climb), from escalare itself linked to scala, ‘ladder, stair, scale.’ The modern term began in the early 20th century as a trade name that became genericized, following patents and widespread use for moving staircases. Early escalators were mechanical spirals and inclined planes; as engineering progressed, chain-driven and belt-driven mechanisms enabled safer, smoother ascent. The first escalators appeared in department stores and transit hubs in the 1890s-1900s, with rapid adoption after World War II as urban centers expanded. The word escalator, once a brand, became the common label for any moving staircase, despite various manufacturers coining alternative names like moving stairs or escalator stairs. Today, “escalator” functions as a generic noun in many varieties of English, though some contexts prefer “moving staircase” to avoid trademark associations. The term has also entered common usage in phrases like “escalator to success,” reflecting figurative extension beyond the literal device.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Escalator" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Escalator"
-tor sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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