How to pronounce preservatives
Say it like pruh-ZUR-vuh-tivz. Preservatives 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 preservatives. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pruh
- ZUR
- vuh
- tivz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Preservatives pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- 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.
- tivzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of preservatives
- 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: pruh-ZUR-vuh-tivz.
What does preservatives mean?
- plural of preservative How to pronounce preservative
Questions about saying preservatives
How do you pronounce preservatives?
Say pruh-ZUR-vuh-tivz. The American pronunciation is /prəˈzɝvətɪvz/. In British English it is /prəˈzɜːvətɪvz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in preservatives?
Preservatives has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZUR). Broken into parts: pruh · ZUR · vuh · tivz.
Is preservatives 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 /prəˈzɜːvətɪvz/ (pruh-ZUR-vuh-tivz).