2 syllables: Pre, late. Stress on Pre.
PREL-it
/ˈpɹɛlɪt/
Prelate is pronounced PREL-it (/ˈpɹɛlɪt/). It has two syllables (Pre-late), with the stress on "Pre". A prelate is a senior clergyman, such as a bishop or other high-ranking church official. The term denotes authority within a religious hierarchy and is often used to refer to individuals who hold ecclesiastical office rather than merely performing religious duties. In broader historical contexts, it can describe leaders with jurisdiction or governance within church structures.
nounA prelate is a senior clergyman, such as a bishop or other high-ranking church official. The term denotes authority within a religious hierarchy and is often used to refer to individuals who hold ecclesiastical office rather than merely performing religious duties. In broader historical contexts, it can describe leaders with jurisdiction or governance within church structures.
How to Pronounce Prelate
"The archbishop convened a council, appointing the prelate to oversee disciplinary matters."
"Local parishes petitioned the prelate for guidance on fundraising and governance."
"The monarch sought the prelate's counsel on matters of church legitimacy and state union."
Prelate is pronounced PREH-lət, with the primary stress on the first syllable. In IPA: /ˈprɛlət/ (US/UK). The first vowel is the short e as in 'red,' followed by a reduced schwa in the second syllable. Keep the final t light, almost a soft stop. Think 'PREL-ət' with the tongue high in the front of the mouth for the first syllable.
Common errors include pronouncing it as PRE-lat with a tense second syllable or as PREN-ate (likening to 'plate' with a long A). Some speakers insert an extra syllable, saying pre-LE-it. To correct: keep stress on the first syllable, reduce the second to a soft schwa /ə/ and avoid a long vowel in the second syllable. Finalize with a crisp, light /t/ without releasing into an additional vowel.
In US/UK English, /ˈprɛlət/ with a short e in the first syllable; rhoticity doesn’t change the word itself. Australian English mirrors US UK vowels but may have a lighter /ɹ/ or slightly more centralized /ə/ in the second syllable. Across accents, the key difference is vowel quality in the first syllable and the degree of r-coloring; otherwise the syllable count and stress remain the same.
The difficulty lies in the short, clipped first syllable vowel and the reduced second syllable /ə/ that can blur into /ɪ/ or /ɒ/ for some speakers. The final /t/ should be unreleased or lightly aspirated; avoid adding an extra vowel after the /t/. Mastery requires keeping the first vowel precise (as in 'dress') while ensuring a quick, quiet second syllable. IPA cues help: /ˈprɛlət/—focus on the lax, short vowel and a rapid, unstressed second syllable.
The word pairs a straightforward consonant onset with a single-consonant coda, but the front-short vowel in the first syllable combined with a reduced second syllable requires careful mouth positioning. The /e/ vs /ɛ/ distinction in 'pre-' is crucial and often misheard as 'pre-late' with a long 'a' sound. Maintaining clear onset consonants and ensuring the /l/ is light and not blended into the following vowel helps preserve natural pronunciation.
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Prelate comes from Old French pret, later prelat, from Latin praelatus, meaning 'carried before' or 'set before' in the sense of someone carried before others of higher rank. The Latin root prae- means 'before,' coupled with lātus (carrying, bearing) to indicate someone who is carried before as a symbol of authority. The term entered English via medieval ecclesiastical usage, gaining prominence in church hierarchies during the Latin Christendom period. Over time, it shifted from a general title for church authorities to a more specific reference to bishops and other senior clergy. In many languages, cognates reflect the sense of a high-ranking church official—for example, French prélat and Spanish prelato—preserving the core idea of authoritative office within religious governance. Historically the word carried prestige and sometimes political influence, as prelates often advised rulers and acted as intermediaries between church and state. First known English attestations date to the medieval era, aligning with the rise of organized dioceses and formal clerical structures.
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Words that rhyme with "Prelate"
-ate sounds
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