How to pronounce consumptive
Say it like kun-SUHMP-tiv. Consumptive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SUHMP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce consumptive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- SUHMP
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Consumptive 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.
- SUHMPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of consumptive
American and British speakers say consumptive in essentially the same way: /kənˈsʌmptɪv/ in the US and /kənˈsʌmptɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: kun-SUHMP-tiv.
What does consumptive mean?
- Having a tendency to consume; dissipating; destructive; wasteful.
- Of or relating to consumption.
- Relating to pulmonary tuberculosis.“consumptive cough”
- A person suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis.
Where does consumptive come from?
From con- + Latin sūmptus + -ive, from Middle English consumptive, from Latin cōnsūmptus, past participle of cōnsūmō.
Words that rhyme with consumptive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of consumptive.
Questions about saying consumptive
How do you pronounce consumptive?
Say kun-SUHMP-tiv. The American pronunciation is /kənˈsʌmptɪv/. In British English it is /kənˈsʌmptɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in consumptive?
Consumptive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SUHMP). Broken into parts: kun · SUHMP · tiv.
Do Americans and Brits say consumptive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kənˈsʌmptɪv/ and the British form is /kənˈsʌmptɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.