How to pronounce furtive
Say it like FUR-tiv. Furtive has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce furtive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FUR
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Furtive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of furtive
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: FUR-tiv.
What does furtive mean?
- Of a thing: done with evasive or guilty secrecy.
- Of a thing: that has been acquired by theft; stolen; also (generally) taken stealthily.
- Of a person or an animal: sly, stealthy.
Where does furtive come from?
From Middle English *furtyve (implied in furtyvely (adverb)), from Middle French furtif, furtive (“furtive, stealthy”) (modern French furtif), from Latin fūrtīvus (“clandestine, furtive, secret; concealed, hidden; stolen”), from fūrtum (“th
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with furtive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of furtive.
Questions about saying furtive
How do you pronounce furtive?
Say FUR-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɝtɪv/. In British English it is /ˈfɜːtɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in furtive?
Furtive has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FUR). Broken into parts: FUR · tiv.
Is furtive pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈfɜːtɪv/ (FUR-tiv).