How to pronounce positive
Say it like POZ-uh-tiv. Positive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce positive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- POZ
- uh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Positive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- POZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- 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 positive
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: POZ-ih-tiv.
What does positive mean?
- characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.“a positive attitude”“the reviews were all positive”
- persuaded of; very sure“were convinced that it would be to their advantage to join”“I am positive he is lying”
- involving advantage or good“a plus (or positive) factor”
- the primary form of an adjective or adverb; denotes a quality without qualification, comparison, or relation to increase or diminution
- a film showing a photographic image whose tones correspond to those of the original subject
Where does positive come from?
From Old French positif, from Latin positivus, from the past participle stem of ponere (“to place”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying positive
How do you pronounce positive?
Say POZ-uh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɑzətɪv/. In British English it is /ˈpɒzɪtɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in positive?
Positive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POZ). Broken into parts: POZ · uh · tiv.
Is positive pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈpɒzɪtɪv/ (POZ-ih-tiv).