Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

recant

/ɹəˈkænt/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.42 in modern English

Syllables
re-cant
IPA
/ɹəˈkænt/
8
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To withdraw or repudiate a statement or opinion formerly expressed, especially formally and publicly.

verb

To give a new cant (slant, angle) to something, in particular railway track on a curve.

Example Sentences

Etymology

First attested in 1535, from Latin recantare (“to sing back, reecho, sing again, repeat in singing, recant, recall, revoke, charm back or away”), from re- (“back”) + canto (“to chant, to sing”), frequentative of cano.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: *keh₂n-, recanto

Inflected Forms

recants (present, singular) recanting (participle, present) recanted (participle, past) recanted (past)

Derived Forms

recantable recantingly unrecanted

Frequently Paired Words

recantation recanter contradict recall revoke

Synonyms

abjure disavow disown recall retract revoke take back unsay withcall backpedal eat one's words recant

Antonyms

affirm aver double down maintain stand firm stand one's ground uphold

Rhymes With

can't plant grant cant aunt ant transplant rant chant implant levant brandt

Questions

How do you pronounce recant?
The recorded pronunciation is /ɹəˈkænt/.
What does recant mean?
To withdraw or repudiate a statement or opinion formerly expressed, especially formally and publicly.
Where does recant come from?
It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce recant

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “recant”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ɹəˈkænt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “recant”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “recant” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.