How to pronounce elective
Say it like ih-LEK-tiv. Elective has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEK).
- ih
- LEK
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Elective pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- LEKSay 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 elective
American and British speakers say elective in essentially the same way: /ɪˈlɛktɪv/ in the US and /ɪˈlɛktɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: ih-LEK-tiv.
What does elective mean?
- Of, or pertaining to voting or elections; involving a choice between options.
- Open to choice; freely chosen; (also, usually) unnecessary; minor.“After accounting for all of my required courses, there is hardly any room in my schedule for any elective ones.”
- Scheduled and nonemergent (regardless of whether necessary or unnecessary and whether minor or serious).“It was very confusing hearing my cancer surgery being classified as "elective surgery". Am I "electing" to live rather than die?”
- Something that is an option or may be freely chosen, especially a course of study.“I still need to decide which electives to take along with my compulsory courses next semester.”
Where does elective come from?
From elect + -ive.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- electoral
- discretionary
- optional
- voluntary
- elective course
- elected
- facultative
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with elective
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of elective.
- perspective
- objective
- collective
- detective
- respective
- protective
- prospective
- subjective
- directive
- ineffective
Questions about saying elective
How do you pronounce elective?
Say ih-LEK-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ɪˈlɛktɪv/. In British English it is /ɪˈlɛktɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in elective?
Elective has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEK). Broken into parts: ih · LEK · tiv.
Do Americans and Brits say elective the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪˈlɛktɪv/ and the British form is /ɪˈlɛktɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.