4 syllables: Il, lus, tra, tive. Stress on lus.
il-UHS-truh-tiv
/ˌɪˈlʌstɹətɪv/
Illustrative is pronounced il-UHS-truh-tiv (/ˌɪˈlʌstɹətɪv/). It has four syllables (Il-lus-tra-tive), with the stress on "lus". Illustrative means serving to illustrate or demonstrate something, often by providing examples or visuals. It conveys a quality of clarification through representation, imagination, or imagery, and is commonly used to describe purposes, styles, or evidence that clarify a point or concept.
adjectiveIllustrative means serving to illustrate or demonstrate something, often by providing examples or visuals. It conveys a quality of clarification through representation, imagination, or imagery, and is commonly used to describe purposes, styles, or evidence that clarify a point or concept.
Common pronunciation errors (400-600 words). • You may stress the wrong syllable, saying il-LUS-truh-tive or IL-lus-TRAY-tiv. To correct, align stress on the second syllable: il-uh-STRAY-tiv. • The 'str' cluster can blend with a weak vowel; practice separating: il-ə - STRAY - tiv. • Endings like 'tiv' may be clipped as 'tivv' or 'tiv', leading to a soggy final sound; ensure the final 'v' is slightly audible, with the tongue near the upper teeth. • The first syllable often reduces; practice maintaining a clear 'ih' sound in 'Il'. • For non-native speakers, the 't' can be misarticulated as a 'd' sound in rapid speech; practice with minimal pairs: 'illustrative' vs. 'illustrative' pronounced slowly and then at natural speed.
"The lecturer provided illustrative graphs to help explain the data trends."
"Her illustrative anecdotes made the complex topic more relatable."
"The report included illustrative case studies to support the recommendations."
Pronounce as /ˈɪl.ə.streɪ.tɪv/ in US and many other varieties, with stress on the second syllable after the 'Il' prefix: 'IL-uh-STRAY-tiv'. The sequence 'str' begins a stressed syllable 'STRAY', followed by a light 'tiv' ending. Tip: keep the 'l' light, avoid overemphasizing the middle syllable, and ensure the final 'tiv' is crisp but not forceful.
Common errors include misplacing stress on the first syllable, saying 'il-LUS-truh-tive' with an unnecessary schwa in the second syllable, or slurring the 'str' cluster into 's-t' in ways that blur the 'STRAY' vowel. Correct these by stressing the second syllable 'STRĒ' and ensuring the 'tiv' ending is clear. Practice by isolating 'il-uh-' vs. 'il-lus-' and then blend with the 'trā-tiv' portion.
In US English, /ˈɪl.ə.streɪ.tɪv/ features a clear 'str' cluster and long 'ā' in 'strā'. In UK English, /ˈɪl.əsˌtreɪ.tɪv/ may have a slightly lighter first vowel and a more compact middle syllable with optional syllable reduction. Australian tends to maintain the /ˈɪl.əˌstrā.tɪv/ pattern but with a more centralized vowel in the first syllable and a slightly flatter intonation. The main differences are vowel quality and syllable stress rhythm rather than phoneme substitutions.
The difficulty centers on the consonant cluster 'str' following a unstressed syllable and the sequence of light and strong syllables: il-uh-STRAY-tiv. Achieving accurate stress placement and crisp articulation of the 'tiv' without adding an extraneous vowel can be challenging. Also, avoiding a reduced vowel in the first syllable while keeping the middle syllable relatively short requires practiced rhythm and muscle memory.
A unique aspect is the two-letter 'iv' sound combination at the end of the word forming '-tiv' with a light 'v' ending. Some speakers inadvertently voice the 't' too strongly, turning it into '-tivv'. Focus on a crisp, single 't' followed by a soft 'iv' syllable. This word also often triggers learners to place secondary stress wrongly; remember the primary stress sits on the second syllable 'STRAY'.
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Accent-specific guidance (400-600 words). • US: place primary stress on the second syllable; ensure the vowel in 'il' is a lax /ɪ/ and the 'eɪ' in 'strē' is held as a long vowel; maintain a slightly higher pitch on 'STRĀ'. • UK: similar stress pattern but with a slightly crisper 't' and less vowel reduction in the first syllable; monitor the 'ə' in the second syllable as a schwa before the 'streɪ' cluster. • Australian: tends toward a more centralized first vowel and a flatter overall intonation; keep the 'strā' sequence precise and avoid over-enunciating the final 'tiv'. IPA references: US /ˈɪl.ə.streɪ.tɪv/, UK /ˈɪl.əsˌtreɪ.tɪv/, AU /ˈɪl.əˌstrā.tɪv/.
Illustrative derives from the Late Latin illustratus, past participle of illustrere meaning to make bright or to illuminate, from Latin illustris meaning bright or clear. The root 'illustr-' is linked to 'illusere' to shine or light up, with the English adjective form emerging to describe something that provides illustration or clarification. The sense of 'serving to illustrate' developed in early modern English, aligning with scholarly and rhetorical uses where examples, figures, or descriptions illuminate a point. First known usages in English appear in the 16th to 17th centuries, particularly in contexts of art, rhetoric, and education, where visuals or examples clarify arguments or narratives.
💡 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 "Illustrative" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Illustrative" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Illustrative"
-ive sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
Comprehensive pronunciation guide (600-800 words). Structure: Introduction (mastering with confidence), Phonetic Profile and Core Challenges, Accent Variations, Advanced Practice Techniques, Common Pitfalls, Daily Integration. Introduction: Visualize how the word carries meaning by illustrating a point. Phonetic Profile and Core Challenges: Core sounds /ɪ/, /ə/, /streɪ/, and /tɪv/ with the tricky cluster /str/. Stress falls on the second syllable; ensure the 'str' cluster is crisp and that 'tiv' ends with a light voicing. Accent Variations: US /ˈɪl.ə.streɪ.tɪv/, UK /ˈɪl.əsˌtreɪ.tɪv/, AU /ˈɪl.əˌstrā.tɪv/. Advanced Practice Techniques: Shadowing, minimal pairs, and prosody work; integrate with reading and presentations. Common Pitfalls: Over-enunciating the middle syllable; misplacing stress; softening or hardening the 't' too much; failing to clearly articulate the final 'v'. Daily Integration: Build a routine that uses 'illustrative' during study explanations, slide notes, or descriptive passages to normalize pronunciation in varied contexts.
