3 syllables: De, ci, sive. Stress on ci.
dis-EYE-siv
/dɪˈsaɪsɪv/
Decisive is pronounced dis-EYE-siv (/dɪˈsaɪsɪv/). It has three syllables (De-ci-sive), with the stress on "ci". Decisive is an adjective describing a firm, unwavering ability to make clear, rapid decisions. It connotes resolution, determination, and the power to influence outcomes. In usage, it often describes leaders, judgments, or actions that leave little doubt about the correct course.
adjectiveDecisive is an adjective describing a firm, unwavering ability to make clear, rapid decisions. It connotes resolution, determination, and the power to influence outcomes. In usage, it often describes leaders, judgments, or actions that leave little doubt about the correct course.
Tip: practice by saying "de-SEE-sive" slowly then ramp to /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/ while exaggerating the diphthong, then relax into natural speed.
How to Pronounce Decisive
"Her decisive leadership helped the project meet its tight deadline."
"The jury reached a decisive verdict after hours of deliberation."
"She made a decisive move to secure the deal before the competitor did."
Pronounce it as /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/. The stress falls on the second syllable: de-CI-sive. Begin with a short /d/ followed by a short /ɪ/ (as in 'it'), then the diphthong /aɪ/ like 'eye', then /s/ /ɪ/ (a short i), and end with /v/. The sequence sounds like di-SY-siv with a crisp final v. If you want a quick audio cue, listen to native speakers in standard accent videos.
Two common errors are: misplacing the stress (saying de- CISE-ive or de-si-SIVE) and mispronouncing the /ɪ/ in the second syllable as a schwa. Correct it by emphasizing the /aɪ/ diphthong in the second syllable and keeping the final /v/ clear. Another error is softening the final /v/ into a /f/; ensure your lower lip touches the upper teeth to voice the /v/.
In US/UK/AU, the primary stress stays on the second syllable /ˈsaɪ/, but vowel timbre differs: US tends toward a slightly flatter /ɪ/ in the first syllable and a clearer /ɪ/ in the second syllable; UK often has crisper articulation of the second syllable with less vowel reduction; AU generally features a more relaxed /ɪ/ and slightly broader vowel around /aɪ/. The final /v/ remains voiced across all.
The challenge lies in the combination of a strong secondary stress pattern in the middle syllable and the diphthong /aɪ/ combined with a final voiced fricative /v/. Many learners truncate the diphthong to a short /ɪ/ or misplace the stress, making it sound like de-SIS-ive. Focusing on the long /aɪ/ in the second syllable and a crisp, fully voiced /v/ helps maintain natural accuracy.
Decisive has no silent letters. Every letter participates in the pronunciation: d, i, s, i, s, i, v, e. The tricky part is the /ˈsaɪ/ digraph where 'ci' produces /saɪ/ instead of /si/; the vowel after the /s/ in the second syllable is clearly /ɪ/ instead of a silent or reduced vowel.
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Decisive comes from the Latin decisus, the perfect passive participle of decidere, meaning ‘to cut off’ or ‘to decide.’ The prefix de- signals removal or separation, while —cis- stems from cidere, ‘to cut or to strike.’ The late Latin decisivus attached to nouns and adjectives in the sense of ‘cutting off doubt,’ i.e., making a clear decision. In English, decisive emerged in the 15th–16th centuries as a political and rhetorical term describing arguments that cut through ambiguity, and later broadened to general usage describing firm choices and actions. Throughout its history, the word has retained the sense of finality and clarity, contrasting with indecisive or equivocal language. By the 19th and 20th centuries, decisive had become a common descriptor in leadership, strategic discussions, sports commentary, and policy debates, signaling strong, definitive, and purposeful qualities in decision-making and execution.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Decisive" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Decisive" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Decisive"
-ive sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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