How to pronounce conceive
Say it like kun-SEEV. Conceive has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEEV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce conceive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- SEEV
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Conceive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SEEVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of conceive
American and British speakers say conceive in essentially the same way: /kənˈsiv/ in the US and /kənˈsiːv/ in the UK.
British respelling: kun-SEEV.
What does conceive mean?
- To have a child; to become pregnant (with).“Assisted procreation can help those trying to conceive.”
- To develop; to form in the mind; to imagine.
- To imagine (as); to have a conception of; to form a representation of.“Can you conceive of him as a leader?”
Where does conceive come from?
From Middle English conceyven, from Old French concevoir, conceveir, from Latin concipiō, concipere (“to devise, to conceive”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with conceive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of conceive.
Questions about saying conceive
How do you pronounce conceive?
Say kun-SEEV. The American pronunciation is /kənˈsiv/. In British English it is /kənˈsiːv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in conceive?
Conceive has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEEV). Broken into parts: kun · SEEV.
Do Americans and Brits say conceive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kənˈsiv/ and the British form is /kənˈsiːv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.