How to pronounce radioactivity
Say it like RAY-dee-oh-ak-tiv-uh-tee. Radioactivity has seven syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce radioactivity. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- RAY
- dee
- oh
- ak
- tiv
- uh
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Radioactivity pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- akGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- tivGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of radioactivity
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: RAY-dee-oh-ak-tiv-uh-tee.
Other ways to say radioactivity
Radioactivity also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- ray-dee-oh-ak-TIV-uh-tee /ˌreɪdioʊˌækˈtɪvəˌti/
What does radioactivity mean?
- Spontaneous emission of ionizing radiation as a consequence of a nuclear reaction, or directly from the breakdown of an unstable nucleus.
- The radiation so emitted; including gamma rays, alpha particles, neutrons, electrons, positrons, etc.
Where does radioactivity come from?
From radioactive + -ity or radio- + activity.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying radioactivity
How do you pronounce radioactivity?
Say RAY-dee-oh-ak-tiv-uh-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˈreɪdioʊˌækˌtɪvəˌti/. In British English it is /ˈreɪdiəʊˌækˌtɪvəˌtiː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in radioactivity?
Radioactivity has seven syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RAY). Broken into parts: RAY · dee · oh · ak · tiv · uh · tee.
Is radioactivity 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 /ˈreɪdiəʊˌækˌtɪvəˌtiː/ (RAY-dee-oh-ak-tiv-uh-tee).