How to pronounce fricative
Say it like FRIK-uh-tiv. Fricative has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FRIK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce fricative. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FRIK
- uh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fricative pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FRIKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of fricative
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: FRIK-uh-tiv.
What does fricative mean?
- Any of several speech sounds produced by air flowing through a constriction in the oral cavity and typically producing a sibilant, hissing, or buzzing quality; a fricative consonant.
- produced by air flowing through a restriction in the oral cavity.
Where does fricative come from?
From New Latin fricatīvus, from Latin fricāre (“to rub”).
Words that rhyme with fricative
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of fricative.
Questions about saying fricative
How do you pronounce fricative?
Say FRIK-uh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˈfrɪkətɪv/. In British English it is /ˈfrɪkətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fricative?
Fricative has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FRIK). Broken into parts: FRIK · uh · tiv.
Is fricative pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈfrɪkətɪv/ (FRIK-uh-tiv).