Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

pontificate

/pɔnˈtɪf.ə.kət/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.51 in modern English

Syllables: pon-tif-i-cate
IPA: /pɔnˈtɪf.ə.kət/

18

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

4

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The status or term of office of a pontiff or pontifex.

verb

To preside as a bishop, especially at mass.

Intransitive verb

verb

To act like a pontiff; to express one's position or opinions dogmatically and pompously as if they were absolutely correct.

Intransitive verb

verb

To speak in a patronizing, supercilious or pompous manner, especially at length.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"During a policy discussion awhile^([sic]) back about New York issues, when Mr. Clinton began to pontificate, she told him that he did not exactly know what he was talking about and to hush up."
""Do you hear that, Ryan? Your mommy is being a pontificating windbag.""

Etymology

From Latin pontificatus, from pontifex (“high priest”), from pons (“bridge”) + facere (“make”).

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: pontificatus

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /pɔnˈtɪf.ə.kət/
British English: /pɒnˈtɪf.ɪ.kət/

Usage

Intransitive verb

Subject

Wiktionary places this term in Religion.

Inflected Forms

pontificates (plural) pontificates (present, singular) pontificating (participle, present) pontificated (participle, past) pontificated (past)

Derived Forms

pontificatingly pontificator

Synonyms

papacy

Questions

How do you pronounce pontificate?: The recorded pronunciation is /pɔnˈtɪf.ə.kət/.
What does pontificate mean?: The status or term of office of a pontiff or pontifex.
Where does pontificate come from?: It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce pontificate

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