How to pronounce comprehensive
Say it like kom-pree-HEN-siv. Comprehensive has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (HEN).
- kom
- pree
- HEN
- siv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Comprehensive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- komGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- preeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- HENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- sivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of comprehensive
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kom-prih-HEN-siv.
What does comprehensive mean?
- including all or everything“comprehensive coverage”“a comprehensive history of the revolution”
- broad in scope“a comprehensive survey of world affairs”
- an intensive examination testing a student's proficiency in some special field of knowledge“she took her comps in English literature”
Where does comprehensive come from?
Borrowed from late Middle French compréhensif, from Late Latin comprehēnsīvus, from Latin comprehendō.
Words that rhyme with comprehensive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of comprehensive.
Questions about saying comprehensive
How do you pronounce comprehensive?
Say kom-pree-HEN-siv. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑmpriˈhɛnsɪv/. In British English it is /ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in comprehensive?
Comprehensive has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (HEN). Broken into parts: kom · pree · HEN · siv.
Is comprehensive pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪv/ (kom-prih-HEN-siv).