How to pronounce inventive
Say it like in-VEN-tiv. Inventive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce inventive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- VEN
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Inventive 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.
- VENSay 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 inventive
American and British speakers say inventive in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnˈvɛntɪv/ in the US and /ˌɪnˈvɛntɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-VEN-tiv.
What does inventive mean?
- Of, or relating to invention; pertaining to the act of devising new mechanisms or processes.“an inventive pursuit”
- Possessed of a particular capacity for the design of new mechanisms or processes, creative or skilful at inventing.“an inventive fellow”
- Purposely fictive.“an inventive story”
Where does inventive come from?
From Middle English inventif, inventyfe, borrowed from Old French inventif, borrowed from Medieval Latin inventivus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with inventive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of inventive.
Questions about saying inventive
How do you pronounce inventive?
Say in-VEN-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈvɛntɪv/. In British English it is /ˌɪnˈvɛntɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in inventive?
Inventive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VEN). Broken into parts: in · VEN · tiv.
Do Americans and Brits say inventive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnˈvɛntɪv/ and the British form is /ˌɪnˈvɛntɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.