How to Pronounce “expressive”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /ɪkˈspɹɛsɪv/
- British (UK)
- /ɪkˈspɹɛsɪv/
- Australian (AU)
- /ɪkˈspɹesɪv/
What “expressive” means
adjective — Effectively conveying thought or feeling.
Example: expressive dancing.
Pronunciation Notes
The final e is silent. The transcription /ɪkˈspɹɛsɪv/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “expressive” is not pronounced.
Where the stress falls. “expressive” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ɪkˈspɹɛsɪv/ 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "expressive" mean?
expressive (adjective): Effectively conveying thought or feeling. For example — expressive dancing.
How do you pronounce "expressive" in American vs British English?
Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "expressive", /ɪkˈspɹɛsɪv/, 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 "expressive"?
/ɪkˈspɹɛsɪv/ in American English, /ɪkˈspɹɛsɪv/ in British English, /ɪkˈspɹesɪv/ in Australian English.
Which syllable is stressed in "expressive"?
“expressive” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ɪkˈspɹɛsɪv/ 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.
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