How to pronounce costive
Say it like KOS-tiv. Costive has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce costive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOS
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Costive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of costive
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KOS-tiv.
What does costive mean?
- Constipated.
- Miserly, parsimonious.
Where does costive come from?
From Middle French costivé, past participle of costiver (“to constipate”), ultimately from Latin cōnstīpātus (“constipated”).
Questions about saying costive
How do you pronounce costive?
Say KOS-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑstɪv/. In British English it is /ˈkɒstɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in costive?
Costive has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOS). Broken into parts: KOS · tiv.
Is costive 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 /ˈkɒstɪv/ (KOS-tiv).