How to pronounce obtrusive
Say it like ub-TROO-siv. Obtrusive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TROO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce obtrusive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ub
- TROO
- siv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Obtrusive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ubKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TROOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- sivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of obtrusive
American and British speakers say obtrusive in essentially the same way: /əbˈtrusɪv/ in the US and /əbˈtruːsɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: ub-TROO-siv.
What does obtrusive mean?
- Of a person: overly assertive, bold, or domineering; pushy; also, ostentatious.“The office manager is an unpleasantly obtrusive individual.”
- Of a thing: noticeable or prominent, especially in a displeasing way.“He has an obtrusive forehead.”
Where does obtrusive come from?
From Latin obtrūsus + English -ive (suffix meaning ‘of the nature of’, forming adjectives).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with obtrusive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of obtrusive.
Questions about saying obtrusive
How do you pronounce obtrusive?
Say ub-TROO-siv. The American pronunciation is /əbˈtrusɪv/. In British English it is /əbˈtruːsɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in obtrusive?
Obtrusive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TROO). Broken into parts: ub · TROO · siv.
Do Americans and Brits say obtrusive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əbˈtrusɪv/ and the British form is /əbˈtruːsɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.