3 syllables: ex, clus, ive. Stress on clus.
iks-KLOO-siv
/ɪksˈklusɪv/
exclusive is pronounced iks-KLOO-siv (/ɪksˈklusɪv/). It has three syllables (ex-clus-ive), with the stress on "clus". Exclusive means restricted to a single person, group, or thing, or available only to a select audience. It can describe things that are not shared with others, such as exclusive rights or an exclusive club. In broader use, it implies a premium or distinctive status that sets something apart from the ordinary.
Exclusive means restricted to a single person, group, or thing, or available only to a select audience. It can describe things that are not shared with others, such as exclusive rights or an exclusive club. In broader use, it implies a premium or distinctive status that sets something apart from the ordinary.
"The club is exclusive and invites only a few members each year."
"The hotel offers exclusive suites with a private pool."
"This magazine features exclusive interviews with industry leaders."
Pronounce as /ɪkˈskluː.sɪv/ (US/UK/AU share the same core). The stress is on the second syllable: ex-CLUE-sive. Start with a short, unstressed initial ‘i’ sound, then a clear /kluː/ as in 'clue' with lips rounded, followed by a light /sɪv/ ending. Tip: avoid merging /kluː/ and /sɪv>; keep a brief break between them to maintain clarity. Audio reference: you can verify with Cambridge/Oxford entries or pronunciation tools like Forvo or YouGlish for native examples.
Common errors: 1) Stressing the first syllable: /ˈɛkˌskluː.sɪv/ instead of the correct /ɪkˈskluː.sɪv/. 2) Slurring /kluː/ into /kluː/ without a slight pause: you should keep a subtle boundary before /sɪv/. 3) Mispronouncing the final /v/ as /f/ in rapid speech. Correction: clearly voice the final /v/ and avoid devoicing. Practice with the minimal pair 'clue-sive' vs 'clu-sive' to feel the /ˈkluː/ block and ensure a voiced termination.
Across US/UK/AU, the core vowel in luː v/e remains /kluː/ with rhoticity not changing the syllable，but vowel length and consonant clarity vary. US often has a slightly higher, tenser /uː/ in /kluː/ and less pre-rhoticity than some UK varieties. UK can have a slightly shorter /uː/ and crisper /sɪv/ ending, while Australian typically keeps a broader, relaxed /ɪ/ before -tives and a clearer /v/ at the end. All share /ɪkˈskluː.sɪv/ with stress on the second syllable. Reference: Cambridge/Oxford pronunciations and regional phonology notes.
The difficulty centers on the consonant cluster /skl/ after the initial vowel and the tense /uː/ in /kluː/. It requires precise tongue blade contact for /s/ and /k/ in sequence and a rounded, long /uː/ before the /sɪv/. Additionally, the ending is a voiced /v/ rather than a voiceless /f/, which learners often mispronounce in rapid speech. Focus on easing the /skl/ cluster and maintaining voicing in the final syllable for accuracy.
The word uniquely combines a robust initial vowel with a strong, pillowy /kluː/ cluster followed by a short /sɪv/, making it a good test case for distinguishing a precise /kl/ onset and a voiced final /v/. The second syllable carries primary stress, which affects intelligibility in fast speech; misplacing stress can obscure meaning, especially in marketing or media contexts where 'exclusive' signals premium status.
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US: keep a relatively flat, slightly higher vowel in /uː/ and maintain rhoticity in surrounding words; UK: crisper /s/ release before /ɪv/ and a slightly shorter /uː/; AU: broader vowels with slightly looser jaw, ensure the final /v/ remains voiced and not devoiced. IPA references: /ɪkˈskluː.sɪv/ (US/UK/AU)
Exclusive comes from the Latin exclusivus, meaning ‘to exclude,’ from ex- ‘out’ + cludere ‘to close, shut.’ The term evolved in Late Latin to describe things set apart by exclusion, and entered English in the 15th century with legal and religious senses (excluding others). By the 17th–18th centuries, exclusive broadened to describe anything restricted or distinctive, often carrying a premium connotation (as in exclusive rights or exclusive clubs). The core semantic shift centers on the act of exclusion—giving something a special status by keeping others out—while maintaining the sense of belonging or privilege for a chosen group. Over time, exclusive has also acquired fashionable, consumer-facing meanings (an exclusive collection, exclusive offer), reinforcing its link to rarity and prestige.
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Help others use "exclusive" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "exclusive" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "exclusive" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "exclusive"
-ive sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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