How to pronounce inactive
Say it like in-AK-tiv. Inactive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce inactive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- AK
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Inactive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- AKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of inactive
American and British speakers say inactive in essentially the same way: /ˌɪˈnæktɪv/ in the US and /ˌɪˈnæktɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-AK-tiv.
What does inactive mean?
- (chemistry) not participating in a chemical reaction; chemically inert“desired amounts of inactive chlorine”
- (pathology) not progressing or increasing; or progressing slowly
- (military) not involved in military operations
Where does inactive come from?
From French inactif. Piecewise doublet of unactive.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with inactive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of inactive.
- attractive
- interactive
- radioactive
- reactive
- proactive
- unattractive
- retroactive
- refractive
- psychoactive
- hyperactive
Questions about saying inactive
How do you pronounce inactive?
Say in-AK-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪˈnæktɪv/. In British English it is /ˌɪˈnæktɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in inactive?
Inactive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AK). Broken into parts: in · AK · tiv.
Do Americans and Brits say inactive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪˈnæktɪv/ and the British form is /ˌɪˈnæktɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.