How to pronounce tenacious
Say it like tuh-NAY-shus. Tenacious has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NAY).
- tuh
- NAY
- shus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tenacious pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of tenacious
American and British speakers say tenacious in essentially the same way: /təˈneɪʃəs/ in the US and /təˈneɪʃəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: tuh-NAY-shus.
What does tenacious mean?
- Clinging to an object or surface; adhesive.
- Unwilling to yield or give up; dogged.
- Holding together; cohesive.
Where does tenacious come from?
From Latin tenāx (“holding fast, clinging”), from tenēre (“to hold”), + -ious.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with tenacious
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tenacious.
Questions about saying tenacious
How do you pronounce tenacious?
Say tuh-NAY-shus. The American pronunciation is /təˈneɪʃəs/. In British English it is /təˈneɪʃəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tenacious?
Tenacious has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NAY). Broken into parts: tuh · NAY · shus.
Do Americans and Brits say tenacious the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /təˈneɪʃəs/ and the British form is /təˈneɪʃəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.