How to pronounce insectivorous
Say it like in-sek-TIV-uh-rus. Insectivorous has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TIV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce insectivorous. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- sek
- TIV
- uh
- rus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Insectivorous 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.
- sekKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- TIVSay 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.
- rusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of insectivorous
American and British speakers say insectivorous in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnsɛkˈtɪvərəs/ in the US and /ˌɪnsɛkˈtɪvərəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-sek-TIV-uh-rus.
What does insectivorous mean?
- Feeding on insects.
- Capable of trapping and absorbing insects; such as the sundew, pitcher plant and Venus flytrap.
Where does insectivorous come from?
From Latin insectum (“insect”) and -vorus, from vorō (“to eat”), equivalent to insectivore + -ous or insect + -i- + -vorous.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with insectivorous
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of insectivorous.
Questions about saying insectivorous
How do you pronounce insectivorous?
Say in-sek-TIV-uh-rus. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnsɛkˈtɪvərəs/. In British English it is /ˌɪnsɛkˈtɪvərəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in insectivorous?
Insectivorous has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TIV). Broken into parts: in · sek · TIV · uh · rus.
Do Americans and Brits say insectivorous the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnsɛkˈtɪvərəs/ and the British form is /ˌɪnsɛkˈtɪvərəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.