How Do You Spell SUFFOCATE?

Pronunciation: [sˈʌfəkˌe͡ɪt] (IPA)

The word "suffocate" is spelled with double letters "ff" and "c", indicating a closed syllable with a short vowel sound. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈsʌf.ə.keɪt/, where the stress falls on the second syllable. The "f" sounds are voiced, and the "o" in the first syllable is pronounced as /ʌ/ as in "up". The final "ate" is pronounced as /keɪt/ with a long "a" sound. The spelling follows English language phonetic conventions, where letters and letter combinations represent certain sounds.

SUFFOCATE Meaning and Definition

1. Suffocate is a transitive verb that refers to the act of causing or experiencing a lack of oxygen that leads to difficulty in breathing or death. This word is commonly used to describe the action of a person, animal, or plant when its airflow is restricted, thereby depriving it of necessary oxygen. It denotes the feeling of being choked, smothered, or having one's airways blocked, resulting in the inability to breathe properly.

   Suffocation can occur due to various factors, such as the presence of smoke, lack of fresh air, excessive pressure on the chest or throat, or submersion in water. In a broader sense, the term can also be used metaphorically to depict a feeling of overwhelming constraint, being trapped, or being stifled in certain situations or environments.

   The physical symptoms of suffocation may include gasping for breath, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, intense chest tightness, and a sense of panic. In more severe cases, suffocation can lead to unconsciousness, brain damage, or even fatality if not promptly addressed.

   In summary, suffocate refers to the obstruction or deprivation of oxygen, resulting in the inability to breathe properly. This word encompasses both the physical act of impeding airflow and the metaphorical sense of feeling trapped or oppressed.

2. 1. To impede respiration, to asphyxiate. 2. To suffer from want of oxygen, to be unable to breathe.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

3. To stop the breath by compressing the throat; to stifle; to smother.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for SUFFOCATE *

• sufficate 65.3846153%
• suficate 7.6923076%
• suffiacate 7.6923076%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SUFFOCATE

• sufficante
• soffocated
• sufforcated
• suffercate
• sufficates
• sufocated
• sufocate
• sufficated
• suffacated
• suffucated
• sufacate
• sufforcate
• suffacate
• suffcoate
• suffocatte
• suffokate
• suphonate
• suffochate
• supfocate
• Buffonate
• suffexate
• Sulphocative
• Syffonate
• Sufolate

Etymology of SUFFOCATE

The word "suffocate" is derived from the Late Latin word "suffocare", which means "to stifle" or "to smother". This Latin term is a combination of "sub" (meaning "under" or "below") and "focare" (meaning "to suffocate" or "to choke"). The word "focare" ultimately comes from the Latin word "focus", which means "hearth" or "fireplace". The idea behind the etymology is that suffocation is a sensation similar to being smothered under heavy smoke or ashes, reminiscent of a stifling fire.

Similar spelling words for SUFFOCATE

• suffocating,
• suffocative,
• suffixation,
• suffocation.

Conjugate verb Suffocate

CONDITIONAL

I would suffocate

you would suffocate

he/she/it would suffocate

we would suffocate

they would suffocate

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be suffocating

you would be suffocating

he/she/it would be suffocating

we would be suffocating

they would be suffocating

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have suffocate

you would have suffocate

he/she/it would have suffocate

we would have suffocate

they would have suffocate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been suffocating

you would have been suffocating

he/she/it would have been suffocating

we would have been suffocating

they would have been suffocating

FUTURE

I will suffocate

you will suffocate

he/she/it will suffocate

we will suffocate

they will suffocate

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be suffocating

you will be suffocating

he/she/it will be suffocating

we will be suffocating

they will be suffocating

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have suffocated

you will have suffocated

he/she/it will have suffocated

we will have suffocated

they will have suffocated

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been suffocating

you will have been suffocating

he/she/it will have been suffocating

we will have been suffocating

they will have been suffocating

IMPERATIVE

you suffocate

we let´s suffocate

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to suffocate

PAST

I suffocated

you suffocated

he/she/it suffocated

we suffocated

they suffocated

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was suffocating

you were suffocating

he/she/it was suffocating

we were suffocating

they were suffocating

PAST PARTICIPLE

suffocated

PAST PERFECT

I had suffocated

you had suffocated

he/she/it had suffocated

we had suffocated

they had suffocated

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been suffocating

you had been suffocating

he/she/it had been suffocating

we had been suffocating

they had been suffocating

PRESENT

I suffocate

you suffocate

he/she/it suffocates

we suffocate

they suffocate

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am suffocating

you are suffocating

he/she/it is suffocating

we are suffocating

they are suffocating

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

suffocating

PRESENT PERFECT

I have suffocated

you have suffocated

he/she/it has suffocated

we have suffocated

they have suffocated

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been suffocating

you have been suffocating

he/she/it has been suffocating

we have been suffocating

they have been suffocating

I would have suffocated

we would have suffocated

you would have suffocated

he/she/it would have suffocated

they would have suffocated