How to pronounce retentive
Say it like rih-TEN-tiv. Retentive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce retentive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- TEN
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Retentive 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.
- TENSay 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 retentive
American and British speakers say retentive in essentially the same way: /rɪˈtɛntɪv/ in the US and /rɪˈtɛntɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-TEN-tiv.
What does retentive mean?
- Having power to retain.“a soil that is highly retentive of rainwater”
- Anal-retentive.
Where does retentive come from?
Borrowed from Middle French rétentif, from Old French retentif, from Medieval Latin retentivus, from Latin retentus.
Words that rhyme with retentive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of retentive.
Questions about saying retentive
How do you pronounce retentive?
Say rih-TEN-tiv. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈtɛntɪv/. In British English it is /rɪˈtɛntɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in retentive?
Retentive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEN). Broken into parts: rih · TEN · tiv.
Do Americans and Brits say retentive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɪˈtɛntɪv/ and the British form is /rɪˈtɛntɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.