How to pronounce suppletive
Say it like suh-PLEE-tiv. Suppletive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PLEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce suppletive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- suh
- PLEE
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Suppletive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PLEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of suppletive
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: suh-PLEE-tiv.
What does suppletive mean?
- Making up for deficiencies; supplementary; suppletory.
- Supplying an etymologically unrelated word with forms, or which is used as one of its forms, by suppletion (for example, in English, better and best are suppletive forms of good).
- Relating to laws which can apply in a contract if the parties choose to agree to this.
- A form used by way of suppletion.
Where does suppletive come from?
Borrowed from Late Latin suppletīvus.
Questions about saying suppletive
How do you pronounce suppletive?
Say suh-PLEE-tiv. The American pronunciation is /səˈplitɪv/. In British English it is /səˈpliːtɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in suppletive?
Suppletive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PLEE). Broken into parts: suh · PLEE · tiv.
Is suppletive pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /səˈpliːtɪv/ (suh-PLEE-tiv).