How to pronounce divisive
Say it like dih-VY-siv. Divisive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce divisive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- VY
- siv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Divisive 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.
- VYSay 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 divisive
American and British speakers say divisive in essentially the same way: /dɪˈvaɪsɪv/ in the US and /dɪˈvaɪsɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-VY-siv.
What does divisive mean?
- Having a quality that divides or separates.“Rather than fostering unity, he becomes divisive.”
Where does divisive come from?
Borrowed from Latin dīvīsīvus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with divisive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of divisive.
Questions about saying divisive
How do you pronounce divisive?
Say dih-VY-siv. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈvaɪsɪv/. In British English it is /dɪˈvaɪsɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in divisive?
Divisive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VY). Broken into parts: dih · VY · siv.
Do Americans and Brits say divisive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈvaɪsɪv/ and the British form is /dɪˈvaɪsɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.