How to pronounce collective
Say it like kuh-LEK-tiv. Collective has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce collective. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kuh
- LEK
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Collective pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of collective
American and British speakers say collective in essentially the same way: /kəˈlɛktɪv/ in the US and /kəˈlɛktɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: kuh-LEK-tiv.
What does collective mean?
- members of a cooperative enterprise
- done by or characteristic of individuals acting together“a joint identity”“the collective mind”
- forming a whole or aggregate
- set up on the principle of collectivism or ownership and production by the workers involved usually under the supervision of a government“collective farms”
Where does collective come from?
From Middle French collectif, from Latin collēctīvus, from collēctus, past participle of colligō (“to collect”), from com- (“together”) + legō (“to gather”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with collective
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of collective.
Questions about saying collective
How do you pronounce collective?
Say kuh-LEK-tiv. The American pronunciation is /kəˈlɛktɪv/. In British English it is /kəˈlɛktɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in collective?
Collective has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEK). Broken into parts: kuh · LEK · tiv.
Do Americans and Brits say collective the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kəˈlɛktɪv/ and the British form is /kəˈlɛktɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.