How to pronounce intentive
Say it like in-TEN-tiv. Intentive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce intentive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- TEN
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Intentive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- TENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of intentive
American and British speakers say intentive in essentially the same way: /ɪnˈtɛntɪv/ in the US and /ɪnˈtɛntɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-TEN-tiv.
What does intentive mean?
- Paying attention; attentive, heedful.
- Intent (of the mind, thoughts etc.).
- Expressing intent.
Where does intentive come from?
From Middle English ententif, borrowed from Old French ententif, from Late Latin intentīvus (“intensive”), from Latin intendō (“to intend, to attend”).
Words that rhyme with intentive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of intentive.
Questions about saying intentive
How do you pronounce intentive?
Say in-TEN-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ɪnˈtɛntɪv/. In British English it is /ɪnˈtɛntɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in intentive?
Intentive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEN). Broken into parts: in · TEN · tiv.
Do Americans and Brits say intentive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪnˈtɛntɪv/ and the British form is /ɪnˈtɛntɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.