How to pronounce preservative
Say it like pree-ZUR-vuh-tiv. Preservative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce preservative. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pree
- ZUR
- vuh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Preservative pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- preeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ZURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- vuhKeep 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 preservative
- 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: pree-ZUR-vuh-tiv.
What does preservative mean?
- Any agent, natural or artificial, that acts to preserve, especially when added to food.“Salt, sugar, and acid all act as preservatives when making pickles.”
- Tending to preserve.“The curators took preservative actions to maintain the ancient collection.”
Where does preservative come from?
From Old French preservatif, from Medieval Latin praeservativus.
Words that rhyme with preservative
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of preservative.
Questions about saying preservative
How do you pronounce preservative?
Say pree-ZUR-vuh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /priˈzɝvətɪv/. In British English it is /priˈzɜːvətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in preservative?
Preservative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZUR). Broken into parts: pree · ZUR · vuh · tiv.
Is preservative 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 /priˈzɜːvətɪv/ (pree-ZUR-vuh-tiv).