Is it dictation or dicktation?
The word is spelled dictation, with no k: d-i-c-t-a-t-i-o-n. Dicktation is the name of this website, not a spelling of the word.
Spelling and pronunciation
- Spelling: dictation
- Pronunciation: dik-TAY-shun
- Related words: dictate (verb), dictator (someone who rules with absolute power, or, rarely, someone who dictates), dictaphone (an old brand of voice recorder that became a general word)
The "c" is pronounced like a "k", which is why "dicktation" and "diktation" are common misspellings. Diktat, from German, is a real but different word, meaning an order imposed without discussion.
Where the word comes from
Dictation comes from the Latin dictare, "to say repeatedly" or "to say aloud for someone to write down", which comes from dicere, "to say". The same root gives us dictionary, diction and predict.
Using it in a sentence
- "I wrote the whole email by dictation on my phone."
- "The teacher gave the class a spelling dictation."
- "She dictated the letter to her assistant."
About this website
Dicktation is a free online dictation tool, with guides to the dictation built into every computer and phone. Try the tool, or read more about the site.