How to pronounce protective
Say it like pruh-TEK-tiv. Protective has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce protective. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pruh
- TEK
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Protective 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.
- TEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of protective
American and British speakers say protective in essentially the same way: /prəˈtɛktɪv/ in the US and /prəˈtɛktɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: pruh-TEK-tiv.
What does protective mean?
- intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind“a protective covering”“the use of protective masks and equipment”
- showing care“a protective mother”
- (usually followed by of) solicitously caring or mindful“protective of his reputation”
Where does protective come from?
Borrowed from Medieval Latin prōtēctīvus.
Words that rhyme with protective
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of protective.
Questions about saying protective
How do you pronounce protective?
Say pruh-TEK-tiv. The American pronunciation is /prəˈtɛktɪv/. In British English it is /prəˈtɛktɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in protective?
Protective has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEK). Broken into parts: pruh · TEK · tiv.
Do Americans and Brits say protective the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /prəˈtɛktɪv/ and the British form is /prəˈtɛktɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.