How to pronounce restrictive
Say it like ree-STRIK-tiv. Restrictive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STRIK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce restrictive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ree
- STRIK
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Restrictive 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.
- STRIKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of restrictive
American and British speakers say restrictive in essentially the same way: /riˈstrɪktɪv/ in the US and /rɪˈstrɪktɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-STRIK-tiv.
What does restrictive mean?
- serving to restrict“teenagers eager to escape restrictive home environments”
- (of tariff) protective of national interests by restricting imports
Where does restrictive come from?
Morphologically restrict + -ive.
Words that rhyme with restrictive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of restrictive.
Questions about saying restrictive
How do you pronounce restrictive?
Say ree-STRIK-tiv. The American pronunciation is /riˈstrɪktɪv/. In British English it is /rɪˈstrɪktɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in restrictive?
Restrictive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STRIK). Broken into parts: ree · STRIK · tiv.
Do Americans and Brits say restrictive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /riˈstrɪktɪv/ and the British form is /rɪˈstrɪktɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.