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Why "patent" sounds different in British English
In British English, /ˈpeɪtənt/, with the "ay" of "day", is the traditional general pronunciation, used for patent leather, for the adjective meaning obvious, and in "patently". For the legal sense, a patent on an invention, both /ˈpeɪtənt/ and /ˈpætənt/ are common in the UK, and dictionaries list both.
American English uses /ˈpætənt/ for the invention sense, with the vowel of "cat" and often a T that is swallowed into the N. "PAY-tuhnt" is limited in the US mostly to the adjective meaning obvious. So if you want the most clearly British sound, use "PAY-tuhnt", especially for "patently".
How to say "patent" like a Brit, step by step
- Stress the first syllable: PAY, as in "pay".
- Release a clear t before the second syllable.
- Reduce the ending to a soft uhnt.
- Together: PAY-tuhnt. The same vowel goes in "patently".
Practise "patent" in a sentence
- She took out a patent on her design.
- It was patently obvious that he hadn't read the report.
- He wore a pair of black patent leather shoes to the wedding.
Saying it once correctly is easy. Saying it right in the middle of a fast sentence is the hard part, which is why the sentences above matter more than the single word.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce patent in a British accent?
In Received Pronunciation, patent is pronounced /ˈpeɪtənt/ or /ˈpætənt/, roughly "PAY-tuhnt or PAT-uhnt". "PAY-tuhnt" is the traditional British form; "PAT-uhnt" is also common for inventions.
Is the American pronunciation of patent wrong?
No. /ˈpætənt/ is standard in American English. Both are correct, they simply belong to different accents. If you are learning a British accent, aim for /ˈpeɪtənt/ or /ˈpætənt/.