How to pronounce persuasive
Say it like per-SWAY-siv. Persuasive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SWAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce persuasive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- per
- SWAY
- siv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Persuasive 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.
- SWAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- sivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of persuasive
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: puh-SWAY-siv.
What does persuasive mean?
- Able to persuade; convincing.
- That which persuades; incitement.
Where does persuasive come from?
From Middle French persuasif, from Medieval Latin persuāsīvus, from Latin past participle stem of persuādēre + -īvus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with persuasive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of persuasive.
Questions about saying persuasive
How do you pronounce persuasive?
Say per-SWAY-siv. The American pronunciation is /pɚˈsweɪsɪv/. In British English it is /pəˈsweɪsɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in persuasive?
Persuasive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SWAY). Broken into parts: per · SWAY · siv.
Is persuasive 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 /pəˈsweɪsɪv/ (puh-SWAY-siv).