How to Pronounce “contemplative”

American (US)

/kənˈtɛmplətɪv/

British (UK)

/kənˈtɛmplətɪv/

adjective — Inclined to contemplate; introspective and thoughtful; meditative.

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

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

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /kənˈtɛmplətɪv/ 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 "contemplative" mean?

contemplative (adjective): Inclined to contemplate; introspective and thoughtful; meditative.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "contemplative", /kənˈtɛmplətɪv/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.

What is the IPA transcription of "contemplative"?

/kənˈtɛmplətɪv/ in American English, /kənˈtɛmplətɪv/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "contemplative"?

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