How to pronounce pertinacious
Say it like pur-tuh-NAY-shus. Pertinacious has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAY).
- pur
- tuh
- NAY
- shus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pertinacious pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- purKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of pertinacious
- 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: pur-tih-NAY-shus.
What does pertinacious mean?
- Holding tenaciously to an opinion or purpose.
- Stubbornly resolute or tenacious.
Where does pertinacious come from?
From pertinace + -ious, from Old French pertinace, from Latin pertinax, from per- (“very”) + tenax (“tenacious”).
Words that rhyme with pertinacious
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of pertinacious.
Questions about saying pertinacious
How do you pronounce pertinacious?
Say pur-tuh-NAY-shus. The American pronunciation is /pɝtəˈneɪʃəs/. In British English it is /ˌpɜːtɪˈneɪʃəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pertinacious?
Pertinacious has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAY). Broken into parts: pur · tuh · NAY · shus.
Is pertinacious 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 /ˌpɜːtɪˈneɪʃəs/ (pur-tih-NAY-shus).