How to Pronounce “comprehensive”

American (US)

/ˌkɑm.pɹəˈhɛn.sɪv/

British (UK)

/ˌkɒm.pɹɪˈhɛn.sɪv/

adjective — Complete, covering everything relevant.

Example: The review was comprehensive and took four months.

Synonyms: thorough, exhaustive

Antonyms: partial

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˌkɑm.pɹəˈhɛn.sɪv/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “comprehensive” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “comprehensive” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌkɑm.pɹəˈhɛn.sɪv/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌkɑm.pɹəˈhɛn.sɪv/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "comprehensive" mean?

comprehensive (adjective): Complete, covering everything relevant. For example — The review was comprehensive and took four months.

How do you pronounce "comprehensive" in American vs British English?

American English: /ˌkɑm.pɹəˈhɛn.sɪv/. British English: /ˌkɒm.pɹɪˈhɛn.sɪv/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "comprehensive"?

/ˌkɑm.pɹəˈhɛn.sɪv/ in American English, /ˌkɒm.pɹɪˈhɛn.sɪv/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "comprehensive"?

“comprehensive” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌkɑm.pɹəˈhɛn.sɪv/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.