Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

inchoate

/ɪnˈkoʊət/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 2.06 in modern English

Syllables: in-choate
IPA: /ɪnˈkoʊət/

13

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Recently started but not fully formed yet; just begun; only elementary or immature.

adj

Chaotic, disordered, confused; also, incoherent, rambling.

adj

Of a crime, imposing criminal liability for an incompleted act.

noun

A beginning, an immature start.

verb

To begin or start (something).

Transitive verb

verb

To cause or bring about. In the field of criminology, to encourage, assist, conspire, aid and abet, incite, etc.

Transitive verb

verb

To make a start.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"neither a substance perfect, nor a substance inchoate"
"It do's indeed perfect and crown thoſe graces which were here inchoate and begun, but no mans converſion ever ſucceeded his being there ..."
"This appointment is evidenced by an open, unequivocal act, and, being the last act required from the person making it, necessarily excludes the idea of its being, so far as it respects the appointment, an inchoate and incomplete transaction."
"It being determined that a constitution should be made for the inchoate government, men were selected by its sponsors, from those at the Illinois Camp Ground, including as many western Cherokees as could be induced to sign it."
"...unfortunately, we have to face inchoate schemes which will demand the utmost jealousy and vigilance of Parliament."
"The private conception of any breach of law is apt to be inspiriting, for the scheme (while yet inchoate) wears dashing and attractive colours."

Etymology

The adjective is first attested in 1534, the verb circa 1631; borrowed from Latin incohātus (“begun, unfinished”), perfect passive participle of incohō (“to begin”), see -ate (etymology 1, 2 and 3). Cognate with Spanish incoar (“to initiate, commence, begin”).

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ɪnˈkoʊət/
British English: /ɪnˈkəʊət/

Usage

Inflected Forms

more inchoate (comparative) most inchoate (superlative) inchoates (plural) inchoates (present, singular) inchoating (participle, present) inchoated (participle, past) inchoated (past)

Derived Forms

choate inchoately inchoateness

Frequently Paired Words

inchoation inchoative

Synonyms

elementary immature embryonic incipient nascent rudimentary chaotic confused

Rhymes With

poet mowat kohut mowatt

Questions

How do you pronounce inchoate?: The recorded pronunciation is /ɪnˈkoʊət/.
What does inchoate mean?: Recently started but not fully formed yet; just begun; only elementary or immature.
Where does inchoate come from?: The adjective is first attested in 1534, the verb circa 1631; borrowed from Latin incohātus (“begun, unfinished”), perfect passive participle of incohō (“to begin”), see -ate (etymology 1, 2 and 3). Cognate with Spanish incoar (“to initiate, commence, begin”).

How to pronounce inchoate

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