How to pronounce deceptive
Say it like dih-SEP-tiv. Deceptive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce deceptive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- SEP
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Deceptive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SEPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of deceptive
American and British speakers say deceptive in essentially the same way: /dɪˈsɛptɪv/ in the US and /dɪˈsɛptɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-SEP-tiv.
What does deceptive mean?
- Likely or attempting to deceive.“deceptive practices”
Where does deceptive come from?
From Middle French déceptif, from Latin dēceptīvus, from dēcipiō (“to deceive”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with deceptive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of deceptive.
Questions about saying deceptive
How do you pronounce deceptive?
Say dih-SEP-tiv. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈsɛptɪv/. In British English it is /dɪˈsɛptɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in deceptive?
Deceptive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEP). Broken into parts: dih · SEP · tiv.
Do Americans and Brits say deceptive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈsɛptɪv/ and the British form is /dɪˈsɛptɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.