How to pronounce reactive
Say it like ree-AK-tiv. Reactive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce reactive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ree
- AK
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Reactive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- AKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of reactive
American and British speakers say reactive in essentially the same way: /riˈæktɪv/ in the US and /riːˈæktɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: ree-AK-tiv.
What does reactive mean?
- participating readily in reactions“sodium is a reactive metal”“free radicals are very reactive”
- reacting to a stimulus“the skin of old persons is less reactive than that of younger persons”
Where does reactive come from?
From react + -ive.
Words that rhyme with reactive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of reactive.
- attractive
- interactive
- radioactive
- inactive
- proactive
- unattractive
- retroactive
- refractive
- psychoactive
- hyperactive
Questions about saying reactive
How do you pronounce reactive?
Say ree-AK-tiv. The American pronunciation is /riˈæktɪv/. In British English it is /riːˈæktɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in reactive?
Reactive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AK). Broken into parts: ree · AK · tiv.
Do Americans and Brits say reactive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /riˈæktɪv/ and the British form is /riːˈæktɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.