2 syllables: cap, tive. Stress on cap.
KAP-tiv
/ˈkæptɪv/
captive is pronounced KAP-tiv (/ˈkæptɪv/). It has two syllables (cap-tive), with the stress on "cap". A person or thing kept under lock or guard, or kept under control or confinement. In broader use, it can describe someone held by force or a situation controlled by external factors. As an adjective, it refers to something kept under restriction or in a state of confinement. The word emphasizes containment rather than escape or release.
A person or thing kept under lock or guard, or kept under control or confinement. In broader use, it can describe someone held by force or a situation controlled by external factors. As an adjective, it refers to something kept under restriction or in a state of confinement. The word emphasizes containment rather than escape or release.
"The prisoner remained captive after the breakout attempt."
"The company kept the data captive in a secure server room."
"Tourists visited the island, where thousands of captive birds were kept for display."
Pronounce as /ˈkæp.tɪv/. The first syllable is stressed: CAP, with a short æ as in cat. The second syllable is unstressed: -tive, pronounced as -tiv with a short i sound like kit. The ending is a light, quick schwa-like ending in casual speech, but in careful speech you’ll hear a clear -tiv. IPA: US/UK/AU share /ˈkæp.tɪv/ with minor vowel quality differences.
Common mistakes include misplacing stress (saying caP-tiv) or pronouncing the second syllable with a long e or i-vowel (like /ˈkæpiːv/). Another error is blending the -pt- cluster into a single sound (like /ˈkæp.tiv/ where the t is too light). Correct by emphasizing CAP and keeping the second syllable short with a straightforward /tɪv/; practise slow repetition isolating /ˈkæp/ and /tɪv/ separately, then blend.
All three share /ˈkæp.tɪv/ but vowel quality in the first syllable can vary slightly: US tends to a sharper /æ/; UK often a slightly longer or tenser /æ/; AU may have a broader vowel and a slightly softer ‘t’ release. The rhotics are non-rhotic in UK; US and AU typically maintain a clearer /r/ only in connected speech, but in this word there’s no rhotic element anyway. Overall, most listeners will hear CAP-tiv with a crisp /t/ and short /ɪ/.
Difficulties include the consonant cluster /p.t/ without an audible vowel between, and the short, closed front vowel /æ/ followed by /tɪv/, which can sound blending or unclear if the speaker runs the syllables together. The second syllable is unstressed and quick, making it easy to reduce to /ˈkæptɪv/ without a distinct /tɪv/. Focus on crisp /t/ release and keeping the /ɪ/ short.
The stress falls on the first syllable, CAP-tive, but the presence of an orthographic -tive ending can lead to mispronunciations like /ˈkæptɪəş/ or /ˈkæp.sɪv/. Emphasize the clean hierarchical syllable boundary: /ˈkæp/ + /tɪv/. The /t/ is clearly released, and the second syllable uses a short, clipped /ɪ/ before /v/. Ensure you don't voice the /v/ too early or merge with /t/.
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The noun and adjective captive derive from Middle English captive, from Old French captive, from Latin captivus meaning ‘taken in battle, prisoner.’ This Latin term comes from capere ‘to take, seize,’ related to capt- (as in captain) and capable roots seen throughout Romance languages. The earliest English usage appears in the 13th century, often in contexts of prisoners of war or those held in captivity. Over time, the meaning broadened to include metaphorical forms of confinement, such as a captive audience or a captive market. The evolution reflects a shift from concrete imprisonment to more abstract forms of constraint, while retaining the core sense of being held or controlled by external force. Today, captive frequently appears in legal, historical, and figurative language, though the core semantic field remains “held, confined, or controlled.”
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "captive" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "captive" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "captive"
-ive sounds
-me) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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