How to pronounce ostensible
Say it like o-STEN-sih-bul. Ostensible has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ostensible. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- o
- STEN
- sih
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ostensible pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- oKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- STENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- sihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ostensible
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: o-STEN-sih-bul.
What does ostensible mean?
- Apparent, evident; meant for open display.
- Appearing as such; being such in appearance; professed, supposed (rather than demonstrably true or real).“The ostensible reason for his visit to New York was to see his mother, but the real reason was to get to the Yankees game the next day.”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with ostensible
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ostensible.
Questions about saying ostensible
How do you pronounce ostensible?
Say o-STEN-sih-bul. The American pronunciation is /ɑˈstɛnsɪbəl/. In British English it is /ɒˈstɛnsɪbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ostensible?
Ostensible has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STEN). Broken into parts: o · STEN · sih · bul.
Is ostensible 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 /ɒˈstɛnsɪbəl/ (o-STEN-sih-bul).