How to pronounce instinctive
Say it like in-STINGK-tiv. Instinctive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STINGK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce instinctive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- STINGK
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Instinctive 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.
- STINGKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of instinctive
American and British speakers say instinctive in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/ in the US and /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-STINGK-tiv.
What does instinctive mean?
- Related to or prompted by instinct.
- Driven by impulse, spontaneous and without thinking.“When approached by a stranger, Jared clenched his fists in an instinctive manner.”
Where does instinctive come from?
From instinct + -ive.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with instinctive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of instinctive.
Questions about saying instinctive
How do you pronounce instinctive?
Say in-STINGK-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/. In British English it is /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in instinctive?
Instinctive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STINGK). Broken into parts: in · STINGK · tiv.
Do Americans and Brits say instinctive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/ and the British form is /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.