How to pronounce native
Say it like NAY-tiv. Native has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce native. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NAY
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Native pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of native
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: NAY-tiv.
What does native mean?
- characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin“the native North American sugar maple”“many native artists studied abroad”
- belonging to one by birth“my native land”“one's native language”
- characteristic of or relating to people inhabiting a region from the beginning“native Americans”“the aboriginal peoples of Australia”
- an indigenous person who was born in a particular place“the art of the natives of the northwest coast”“the Canadian government scrapped plans to tax the grants to aboriginal college students”
- a person born in a particular place or country“he is a native of Brazil”
- indigenous plants and animals
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with native
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of native.
Questions about saying native
How do you pronounce native?
Say NAY-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˈneɪtɪv/. In British English it is /ˈneɪtɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in native?
Native has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NAY). Broken into parts: NAY · tiv.
Is native 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 /ˈneɪtɪv/ (NAY-tiv).