How to pronounce abrasive
Say it like uh-BRAY-siv. Abrasive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BRAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce abrasive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- BRAY
- siv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Abrasive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BRAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- sivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of abrasive
American and British speakers say abrasive in essentially the same way: /əˈbreɪsɪv/ in the US and /əˈbreɪsɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-BRAY-siv.
What does abrasive mean?
- A hard inorganic substance or material consisting in powder or granule form such as sandpaper, pumice, or emery, used for cleaning, smoothing, or polishing.
- Rock fragments, sand grains, mineral particles, used by water, wind, and ice to abrade a land surface.
- Producing abrasion; rough enough to wear away the outer surface.
- Being rough and coarse in manner or disposition; overly aggressive and causing irritation.“An abrasive person can grate on one's sensibilities.”
Where does abrasive come from?
Borrowed from Medieval Latin abrāsīvus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with abrasive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of abrasive.
Questions about saying abrasive
How do you pronounce abrasive?
Say uh-BRAY-siv. The American pronunciation is /əˈbreɪsɪv/. In British English it is /əˈbreɪsɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in abrasive?
Abrasive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BRAY). Broken into parts: uh · BRAY · siv.
Do Americans and Brits say abrasive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈbreɪsɪv/ and the British form is /əˈbreɪsɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.