How to pronounce probative
Say it like PROH-buh-tiv. Probative has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PROH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce probative. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PROH
- buh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Probative pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PROHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- buhKeep 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 probative
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: PROH-buh-tiv.
What does probative mean?
- Tending to prove a particular proposition or to persuade someone of the truth of an allegation.
Where does probative come from?
From Middle English probatiffe, from Old French probatif, from Latin probātīvus (“belonging to proof”), from Latin probare (“show, prove, demonstrate”) (See prove).
Questions about saying probative
How do you pronounce probative?
Say PROH-buh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˈproʊbətɪv/. In British English it is /ˈprəʊbətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in probative?
Probative has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PROH). Broken into parts: PROH · buh · tiv.
Is probative pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈprəʊbətɪv/ (PROH-buh-tiv).