How to pronounce initiative
Say it like in-ISH-uh-tiv. Initiative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ISH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce initiative. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- ISH
- uh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Initiative 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.
- ISHSay 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 initiative
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: ih-NISH-uh-tiv.
What does initiative mean?
- readiness to embark on bold new ventures
- the first of a series of actions
- serving to set in motion“the magazine's inaugural issue”“the initiative phase in the negotiations”
Where does initiative come from?
From French initiative, from Medieval Latin *initiativus (“serving to initiate”), from Late Latin initiare (“to begin, to initiate”), from Latin initium (“beginning”), from ineo (“enter, begin”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying initiative
How do you pronounce initiative?
Say in-ISH-uh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪˈnɪʃətɪv/. In British English it is /ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in initiative?
Initiative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ISH). Broken into parts: in · ISH · uh · tiv.
Is initiative 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 /ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/ (ih-NISH-uh-tiv).