English pronunciation · Words Starting with D
Demonstrative Pronunciation
Demonstrative is pronounced di-MAHN-struh-tiv, IPA /dɪˈmɑnstrətɪv/.
di-MAHN-struh-tiv
US /dɪˈmɑnstrətɪv/ · UK /dəˈmɒnstrəˌtɪv/
Syllables: di · MAHN · struh · tiv (4 syllables, stress on syllable 2)
adjective and noun: Open about showing feelings, or, in grammar, a word like this or those that points something out.
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Demonstrative in a Sentence
- He is not a demonstrative man, but he cares a great deal.
- This and that are the two singular demonstratives in English.
- Her family is loud and demonstrative at every gathering.
Common Mispronunciations of Demonstrative
Not DE-muhn-stray-tiv
Demonstrate opens loud, but adding the ive ending drags the beat onto MAHN. The middle syllable also loses its long ay.
Not di-MAHN-struh-teev
Finish on a weak tiv, rhyming with give. Stretching it to teev makes the ending sound French.
Tip: Watch the stress shift across the family: DE-muhn-strayt, de-muhn-STRAY-shuhn, di-MAHN-struh-tiv.
More words starting with d · Every word in the pronunciation guide