How to pronounce defensiveness
Say it like dih-FEN-siv-nus. Defensiveness has four 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 defensiveness. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- FEN
- siv
- nus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Defensiveness 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.
- nusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of defensiveness
American and British speakers say defensiveness in essentially the same way: /dɪˈfɛnsɪvnəs/ in the US and /dɪˈfɛnsɪvnəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-FEN-siv-nus.
What does defensiveness mean?
- The state or quality of being defensive.
Where does defensiveness come from?
From defensive + -ness.
Questions about saying defensiveness
How do you pronounce defensiveness?
Say dih-FEN-siv-nus. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈfɛnsɪvnəs/. In British English it is /dɪˈfɛnsɪvnəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in defensiveness?
Defensiveness has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FEN). Broken into parts: dih · FEN · siv · nus.
Do Americans and Brits say defensiveness the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈfɛnsɪvnəs/ and the British form is /dɪˈfɛnsɪvnəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.