How to pronounce defensive
Say it like dih-FEN-siv. Defensive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce defensive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- FEN
- siv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Defensive 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.
- FENSay 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 defensive
American and British speakers say defensive in essentially the same way: /dɪˈfɛnsɪv/ in the US and /dɪˈfɛnsɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-FEN-siv.
What does defensive mean?
- intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack“defensive weapons”“a defensive stance”
- attempting to justify or defend in speech or writing
- an attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase on the defensive)
Where does defensive come from?
From Middle French défensif.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with defensive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of defensive.
Questions about saying defensive
How do you pronounce defensive?
Say dih-FEN-siv. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈfɛnsɪv/. In British English it is /dɪˈfɛnsɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in defensive?
Defensive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FEN). Broken into parts: dih · FEN · siv.
Do Americans and Brits say defensive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈfɛnsɪv/ and the British form is /dɪˈfɛnsɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.