How to pronounce octave
Say it like OK-tiv. Octave has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OK).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce octave. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈɑktɪv/OK-tiv
UK British/ˈɒktɪv/OK-tiv
- OK
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Octave pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of octave
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: OK-tiv.
What does octave mean?
noun
- An interval of twelve semitones spanning eight degrees of the diatonic scale, representing a doubling or halving in pitch frequency.“The melody jumps up an octave at the beginning, then later drops back down an octave.”
- The pitch an octave higher than a given pitch.“The bass starts on a low E, and the tenor comes in on the octave.”
- A coupler on an organ which allows the organist to sound the note an octave above the note of the key pressed (cf sub-octave)
- Alternative form of octavate.
Where does octave come from?
From Latin octavus (“eighth”).
Questions about saying octave
How do you pronounce octave?
Say OK-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑktɪv/. In British English it is /ˈɒktɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in octave?
Octave has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OK). Broken into parts: OK · tiv.
Is octave pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈɒktɪv/ (OK-tiv).