How to pronounce passive
Say it like PAS-iv. Passive has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAS).
- PAS
- iv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Passive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PASSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of passive
American and British speakers say passive in essentially the same way: /ˈpæsɪv/ in the US and /ˈpæsɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: PAS-iv.
What does passive mean?
- Being subjected to an action without producing a reaction.
- Taking no action.“He remained passive during the protest.”
- Being in the passive voice.
- The passive voice of verbs.
- A form of a verb that is in the passive voice.
- A customer who is satisfied with a product or service, but not keen enough to promote it by word of mouth.
Where does passive come from?
From Middle English passyf, passyve, from Middle French, French passif, from Latin passivus (“serving to express the suffering of an action; in late Latin literally capable of suffering or feeling”), from passus, past participle of pati (“t
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with passive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of passive.
Questions about saying passive
How do you pronounce passive?
Say PAS-iv. The American pronunciation is /ˈpæsɪv/. In British English it is /ˈpæsɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in passive?
Passive has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAS). Broken into parts: PAS · iv.
Do Americans and Brits say passive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpæsɪv/ and the British form is /ˈpæsɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.