How to pronounce submissive
Say it like sub-MIS-iv. Submissive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MIS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce submissive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- sub
- MIS
- iv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Submissive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- subKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- MISSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of submissive
American and British speakers say submissive in essentially the same way: /səbˈmɪsɪv/ in the US and /səbˈmɪsɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: sub-MIS-iv.
What does submissive mean?
- Meekly obedient or passive; obsequious.
- Desiring or engaging in sexual submission.
- One who submits to a dominating partner in BDSM practices.
- One who submits.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with submissive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of submissive.
Questions about saying submissive
How do you pronounce submissive?
Say sub-MIS-iv. The American pronunciation is /səbˈmɪsɪv/. In British English it is /səbˈmɪsɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in submissive?
Submissive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MIS). Broken into parts: sub · MIS · iv.
Do Americans and Brits say submissive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /səbˈmɪsɪv/ and the British form is /səbˈmɪsɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.