How to pronounce palliative
Say it like PAL-ee-uh-tiv. Palliative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce palliative. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAL
- ee
- uh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Palliative pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of palliative
- American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: PAL-eer-tiv.
What does palliative mean?
- Something that palliates, particularly a palliative medicine.“The radiation and chemotherapy were only palliatives.”
- Serving to palliate; serving to extenuate or mitigate.
- Minimising the progression of a disease and relieving undesirable symptoms for as long as possible, rather than attempting to cure the (usually incurable) disease.
Where does palliative come from?
From Middle French palliatif, from New Latin *palliātīvus, from Medieval Latin palliō (“to cloak”), from Latin pallium (“a cloak”).
Questions about saying palliative
How do you pronounce palliative?
Say PAL-ee-uh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˈpæliətɪv/. In British English it is /ˈpælɪətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in palliative?
Palliative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAL). Broken into parts: PAL · ee · uh · tiv.
Is palliative pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3. The British form is /ˈpælɪətɪv/ (PAL-eer-tiv).