How to pronounce ostensive
Say it like o-STEN-siv. Ostensive has three 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 ostensive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- o
- STEN
- siv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ostensive 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.
- sivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of ostensive
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: o-STEN-siv.
What does ostensive mean?
- Apparently true, but not necessarily; ostensible
- Clearly demonstrative.
Where does ostensive come from?
From Middle French ostensif and its etymon Late Latin ostēnsīvus.
Words that rhyme with ostensive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ostensive.
- expensive
- extensive
- offensive
- defensive
- comprehensive
- intensive
- inexpensive
- apprehensive
- inoffensive
- hypertensive
Questions about saying ostensive
How do you pronounce ostensive?
Say o-STEN-siv. The American pronunciation is /ɑˈstɛnsɪv/. In British English it is /ɒˈstɛnsɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ostensive?
Ostensive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STEN). Broken into parts: o · STEN · siv.
Is ostensive 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 /ɒˈstɛnsɪv/ (o-STEN-siv).