How to pronounce competitive
Say it like kum-PET-uh-tiv. Competitive has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce competitive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kum
- PET
- uh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Competitive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of competitive
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: kum-PET-ih-tiv.
What does competitive mean?
- involving competition or competitiveness“competitive games”“to improve one's competitive position”
- subscribing to capitalistic competition
- showing a fighting disposition“highly competitive sales representative”“militant in fighting for better wages for workers”
Where does competitive come from?
From Latin competītus (past participle of competere) + -ive.
Questions about saying competitive
How do you pronounce competitive?
Say kum-PET-uh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /kəmˈpɛtətɪv/. In British English it is /kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in competitive?
Competitive has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PET). Broken into parts: kum · PET · uh · tiv.
Is competitive pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv/ (kum-PET-ih-tiv).