/ɹəˈsivz/
Say it backReceives is a verb meaning to obtain, acquire, or be given something. In pronunciation, it ends with a voiced -s sound and an unstressed syllable pattern, typically stressed on the second syllable in common phrases, producing a mild, clipped final syllable. The word often appears in formal or instructional contexts, such as processes that receive data or signals.
- You’ll often mispronounce by softening the final /z/ or making it a /s/; ensure audible voicing: /vz/. - Stress drift: keep primary stress on the second syllable; avoid saying /ˈrisiːvz/ with first-syllable emphasis. - Vowel length of /iː/ should be held; collapsing it into /i/ makes it sound like /rɪˈsiːvs/; hold the long /iː/ long enough before /vz/. - You may link sounds too tightly in connected speech, causing a blur; practice with deliberate pauses.
"She receives daily updates from the team."
"The package receives tracking as it moves through the system."
"In this module, the data receives a timestamp when recorded."
Pronounce as /rɪˈsiːvz/. The first syllable is a reduced /rɪ/ with a short “ih” sound, then primary stress on the second syllable /siː/ (long “ee” vowel), followed by the voiced final /vz/ as in “z.” In connected speech, you may hear a quick onset and a light tail on the final /vz/. IPA: US/UK/AU: rɪˈsiːvz.
Common errors: 1) Dropping or shortening the final -s, saying /rɪˈsiːv/ or /rɪˈsiːvz/? (finish with a clear /z/). 2) Misplacing stress, saying re-CEIVs or RE-ceives. 3) Using a tense vowel in the second syllable like /iː/ but shortening it in fluent speech. Correction: keep secondary vowel length short in the first syllable /rɪ/ and maintain the long /iː/ in the second syllable, then release into /vz/ for the final. IPA reminder: rɪˈsiːvz.
US: /rɪˈsiːvz/ with rhotic r and clear /z/. UK: /rɪˈsiːvz/ similar, but non-rhotic features may mute post-vocalic r in some speakers; the /vz/ remains. AU: /rɪˈsiːvz/ tends to be less clipped, with a slightly broader vowel in the /iː/ and more relaxed consonant release. Across accents, primary stress remains on the second syllable; the final sonorant is a voiced /z/ in most dialects.
The difficulty lies in two areas: the long /iː/ in the stressed syllable and the final voiced /vz/ sequence after an unstressed onset. The transition from /siː/ to /vz/ requires precise voicing and a quick, clean release. In rapid speech, it often sounds like /rɪˈsiːfz/ or /rɪˈsiːvs/ with reduced voicing. Focus on sustaining the /iː/ before a crisp /vz/ release to achieve natural accuracy.
A unique aspect is the boundary between the stressed vowel and the final voiced consonant cluster, where the /z/ is produced immediately after a long /iː/ with a short, controlled offglide. This combination can blur in fast speech, so you should practice the exact articulation: /riː/ vs /rɪˈsiːvz/, ensuring the /vz/ is audible and breathy-late rather than devoiced. IPA: rɪˈsiːvz.
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- US: rhotic, clear /r/ and /z/. Keep /iː/ long; avoid flapping the /t/ or misplacing the /r/. - UK: potential non-rhoticity; ensure you still voice /z/ clearly at the end; maintain /iː/ length. - AU: broader vowels; keep /iː/ distinct and final /z/ crisp; avoid vowel narrowing. IPA references: US rɪˈsiːvz, UK rɪˈsiːvz, AU rɪˈsiːvz.
Receives derives from the Old French recevoir, meaning to receive, take back, or recover, which itself comes from Latin recipere (re- ‘back’ + capere ‘take, seize’). The Latin term first appeared in English in the late Middle Ages via Old French. Over time, the form evolved to the English verb receive with the -s inflection for third-person singular and plural subjects, maintaining the core sense of taking or accepting something given or coming to one. In modern usage, receives is frequently found in contexts like data processing, communications, legal or formal procedures, and everyday actions of obtaining goods or information. The phonetic evolution follows standard English stress patterns: re-CEIVES with primary stress on the second syllable, and the -s ending realized as a voiced alveolar sibilant in connected speech.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "receives" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "receives" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "receives"
-ves sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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