How to pronounce derisive
Say it like dih-RY-siv. Derisive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce derisive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- RY
- siv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Derisive 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.
- RYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- sivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of derisive
American and British speakers say derisive in essentially the same way: /dɪˈraɪsɪv/ in the US and /dɪˈraɪsɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-RY-siv.
What does derisive mean?
- Expressing or characterized by derision; mocking; ridiculing.“The critic's review of the film was derisive.”
- Deserving or provoking derision or ridicule.“The plot of the film was so derisive that the audience began to jeer.”
- A derisive remark.
Where does derisive come from?
From the participle stem of Latin dērīdeō (“to deride”) + -ive.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with derisive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of derisive.
Questions about saying derisive
How do you pronounce derisive?
Say dih-RY-siv. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈraɪsɪv/. In British English it is /dɪˈraɪsɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in derisive?
Derisive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RY). Broken into parts: dih · RY · siv.
Do Americans and Brits say derisive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈraɪsɪv/ and the British form is /dɪˈraɪsɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.