2 syllables: ac, tive. Stress on ac.
AK-tiv
/ˈæktɪv/
active is pronounced AK-tiv (/ˈæktɪv/). It has two syllables (ac-tive), with the stress on "ac". Active is an adjective or verb meaning ready to engage or in action, or characterized by movement or participation. It often describes ongoing participation, energy, or function, as in active learners or an active role. In grammar, it can modify nouns or be part of verb phrases, indicating movement or effort rather than passivity. The term implies dynamic or current state rather than static condition.
Active is an adjective or verb meaning ready to engage or in action, or characterized by movement or participation. It often describes ongoing participation, energy, or function, as in active learners or an active role. In grammar, it can modify nouns or be part of verb phrases, indicating movement or effort rather than passivity. The term implies dynamic or current state rather than static condition.
"She leads an active lifestyle, exercising daily."
"The committee is actively seeking solutions to the problem."
"An active voice emphasizes the subject performing the action."
Pronounce as /ˈæk.tɪv/ in US, UK, and AU. The first syllable carries primary stress. Start with a low, open front tongue position for /æ/, then quickly release to /k/ and glide into /tɪv/. The final syllable uses a light /v/ with a slightly schwa-like /ɪ/ in the middle. Practicing by saying ‘ack’ + ‘tiv’ helps—emphasize the short, clipped first syllable and a crisp /v/ at the end.
Common mistakes include reducing the second syllable to a weak /ə/ too early, producing /ˈæk.tɬɪv/ by misplacing the tongue for an alveolar click, or letting the /t/ assimilate the following consonant into /d/ or a flapped sound. Correction: keep /t/ crisp and fully released before the /ɪ/ vowel, and end with a clear /v/. Practice separating the syllables slowly to reinforce the stop-release pattern.
In US English, /ˈæk.tɪv/ with a rhotic, clear /r/ not present, but the /t/ is typically unreleased before a following consonant or vowel. UK English also uses /ˈæk.tɪv/ but may have a slightly shorter /ɪ/ and less rhotic influence, while Australian English often features a broader vowel in /æ/ and a flatter /v/ at the end. All share core /ˈæk- tɪv/ structure; the differences are in vowel quality and linkage in connected speech.
The difficulty lies in the short, tense vowel /æ/ before the voiceless /k/ and the voiced /v/ at the end, plus the alveolar /t/ that must be clearly released. For non-native speakers, maintaining crisp consonants while avoiding a vowel reduction or a glottal stop is challenging. The fast rhythm of two stressed syllables in some phrases adds to the challenge. Focusing on sustained air flow and precise articulator placement helps.
The unique element is balancing a strong initial vowel onset with a clean, crisp /t/ release and a final /v/ that can sound softer in connected speech. The word often slides into rapid speech in continuous talk, so maintaining distinct syllable boundaries (AC-tive) is crucial for intelligibility in both careful and casual speech.
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Active comes from the Latin activus, from agere “to do, act.” The root act- meaning ‘to act’ is found in many English derivatives. The Latin suffix -ivus forms adjectives, roughly translating to ‘inclined to’ or ‘having the nature of.’ The word entered English via Old French and Middle English, where it retained its sense of movement or doing. By the 15th century, active described things in motion or people who are engaged in action, evolving to cover grammatical voice (active vs passive) and technical senses in fields like biology and physics. Over time, the concept broadened from mere movement to engagement, participation, and dynamism, becoming a common descriptor across everyday speech and professional jargon.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "active" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "active" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "active"
-ive sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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