How to pronounce performative
Say it like per-FOR-muh-tiv. Performative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FOR).
- per
- FOR
- muh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Performative pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- perKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- FORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- muhKeep 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 performative
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: puh-FAW-muh-tiv.
What does performative mean?
- Being enacted as it is said.“Saying "I do" as part of a wedding ceremony is performative, enacting a marriage.”
- Insincere, inauthentic or disingenuous; done solely or largely as a performance, to produce an impression or enhance one's reputation.
- A performative utterance.
Where does performative come from?
From perform + -ative.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- performatory
- workly
- illocutionary
Words that rhyme with performative
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of performative.
Questions about saying performative
How do you pronounce performative?
Say per-FOR-muh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /pɚˈfɔrmətɪv/. In British English it is /pəˈfɔːmətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in performative?
Performative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FOR). Broken into parts: per · FOR · muh · tiv.
Is performative pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /pəˈfɔːmətɪv/ (puh-FAW-muh-tiv).