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# rate

The rate the speech synthesizer uses when speaking the utterance.

```
var rate: Float { get set }
```

## Discussion

The speech rate is a decimal representation within the range of [`AVSpeechUtteranceMinimumSpeechRate`](/documentation/AVFAudio/AVSpeechUtteranceMinimumSpeechRate) and [`AVSpeechUtteranceMaximumSpeechRate`](/documentation/AVFAudio/AVSpeechUtteranceMaximumSpeechRate). Lower values correspond to slower speech, and higher values correspond to faster speech. The default value is [`AVSpeechUtteranceDefaultSpeechRate`](/documentation/AVFAudio/AVSpeechUtteranceDefaultSpeechRate). Set this property before enqueing the utterance because setting it afterward has no effect.

---

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