How to pronounce privative
Say it like PRIV-uh-tiv. Privative has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRIV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce privative. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PRIV
- uh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Privative pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PRIVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- 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 privative
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: PRIV-uh-tiv.
What does privative mean?
- Causing privation; depriving.
- Consisting in the absence of something; negative.
- Indicating the absence of something.
- something that causes privation or indicates an absence
Where does privative come from?
From Latin privativus.
Words that rhyme with privative
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of privative.
Questions about saying privative
How do you pronounce privative?
Say PRIV-uh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˈprɪvətɪv/. In British English it is /ˈprɪvətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in privative?
Privative has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRIV). Broken into parts: PRIV · uh · tiv.
Is privative pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈprɪvətɪv/ (PRIV-uh-tiv).