How to pronounce recessive
Say it like ruh-SES-iv. Recessive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce recessive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ruh
- SES
- iv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Recessive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of recessive
American and British speakers say recessive in essentially the same way: /rəˈsɛsɪv/ in the US and /rəˈsɛsɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: ruh-SES-iv.
What does recessive mean?
- A gene that is recessive.
- Going back; receding.
- Able to be masked by a dominant allele or trait.
- Not dominant; whose effect is masked by stronger effects.
Where does recessive come from?
From Latin recēdō + -ive, or directly from New Latin recessīvus.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with recessive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of recessive.
Questions about saying recessive
How do you pronounce recessive?
Say ruh-SES-iv. The American pronunciation is /rəˈsɛsɪv/. In British English it is /rəˈsɛsɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in recessive?
Recessive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SES). Broken into parts: ruh · SES · iv.
Do Americans and Brits say recessive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rəˈsɛsɪv/ and the British form is /rəˈsɛsɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.