How to pronounce attractive
Say it like uh-TRAK-tiv. Attractive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TRAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce attractive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- TRAK
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Attractive 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.
- TRAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of attractive
American and British speakers say attractive in essentially the same way: /əˈtræktɪv/ in the US and /əˈtræktɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-TRAK-tiv.
What does attractive mean?
- pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm“a remarkably attractive young man”“an attractive personality”
- having power to arouse interest“an attractive opportunity”“the job is attractive because of the pay”
- having the properties of a magnet; the ability to draw or pull“an attractive force”
Where does attractive come from?
From Middle French attractif, from Late Latin attractīvus, equivalent to attract + -ive.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
- unattractive
- repulsive
Words that rhyme with attractive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of attractive.
- interactive
- radioactive
- inactive
- reactive
- proactive
- retroactive
- refractive
- psychoactive
- hyperactive
- overactive
Questions about saying attractive
How do you pronounce attractive?
Say uh-TRAK-tiv. The American pronunciation is /əˈtræktɪv/. In British English it is /əˈtræktɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in attractive?
Attractive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TRAK). Broken into parts: uh · TRAK · tiv.
Do Americans and Brits say attractive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈtræktɪv/ and the British form is /əˈtræktɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.