How to pronounce explosive
Say it like ik-SPLOH-siv. Explosive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPLOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce explosive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ik
- SPLOH
- siv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Explosive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SPLOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- sivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of explosive
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: ik-SPLOH-siv.
What does explosive mean?
- serving to explode or characterized by explosion or sudden outburst“an explosive device”“explosive gas”
- liable to lead to sudden change or violence“an explosive issue”“a volatile situation with troops and rioters eager for a confrontation”
- sudden and loud“an explosive laugh”
- a chemical substance that undergoes a rapid chemical change (with the production of gas) on being heated or struck
Where does explosive come from?
From Latin explōs-, stem of the perfect passive participle of explōdō + the suffix -ive.
Words that rhyme with explosive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of explosive.
Questions about saying explosive
How do you pronounce explosive?
Say ik-SPLOH-siv. The American pronunciation is /ɪkˈsploʊsɪv/. In British English it is /ɪkˈspləʊsɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in explosive?
Explosive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPLOH). Broken into parts: ik · SPLOH · siv.
Is explosive pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ɪkˈspləʊsɪv/ (ik-SPLOH-siv).