How to pronounce respective
Say it like rih-SPEK-tiv. Respective has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPEK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce respective. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- SPEK
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Respective pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SPEKSay 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 respective
American and British speakers say respective in essentially the same way: /rɪˈspɛktɪv/ in the US and /rɪˈspɛktɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-SPEK-tiv.
What does respective mean?
- considered individually“the respective club members”“specialists in their several fields”
Where does respective come from?
Borrowed from Medieval Latin respectivus, from Latin respectus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with respective
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of respective.
Questions about saying respective
How do you pronounce respective?
Say rih-SPEK-tiv. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈspɛktɪv/. In British English it is /rɪˈspɛktɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in respective?
Respective has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPEK). Broken into parts: rih · SPEK · tiv.
Do Americans and Brits say respective the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɪˈspɛktɪv/ and the British form is /rɪˈspɛktɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.