How to pronounce “exhaustive”
Exhaustive is pronounced /ɪɡˈzɔːstɪv/. It has 3 syllables, and the beat falls on the second one — zɔː. Below: the syllable split, native audio in both accents, the mistake people actually make with this word, and every individual sound in it explained.
Syllables and stress
Split it into 3 beats. The highlighted syllable is the strong one: say it louder, longer and a touch higher in pitch, and let the others fall away. English is a stress-timed language, so getting zɔː in the right place matters more to a listener than getting every vowel perfect.
Stress pattern oOo — capital letters mark the stressed beats.
The common mispronunciation of “exhaustive”
✗ Often said: /ˈekshɔːstaɪv/ — the spelling, read straight off the page.
✓ Actually: /ɪɡˈzɔːstɪv/
Why the two come apart: the silent “h” is not pronounced, even though the spelling begs you to say it; also, the silent final “e” (it lengthens the vowel instead) is not pronounced, even though the spelling begs you to say it; also, the stress lands on the second syllable (“zɔː”), not on the first one — putting the beat at the front is the mistake almost everyone makes; also, at least one vowel does not say what its spelling suggests — English vowel letters are not reliable here.
This is why reading English aloud from spelling alone goes wrong so often: the letters of “exhaustive” are not a reliable map of its sounds. The IPA is — each symbol stands for exactly one sound, every time.
“exhaustive” sound by sound
“exhaustive” is built out of 8 sounds. Say each one on its own first, slowly, then run them together at speed. Every sound links to a full guide with mouth position, the mistake learners make with it, and other words that use it.
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ɪRelax the tongue slightly lower and further back than for /iː/, keep the lips neutral, and make it short and lax.
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ɡBack of the tongue seals against the soft palate and releases while the voice is already on — no puff of air.
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zExactly the /s/ tongue position with voicing added, so the airflow buzzes.
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ɔːTongue low and back like /ɑː/, but round the lips and push them forward slightly; the sound is long and rounded.
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sHold the tongue tip near (not touching) the ridge behind the upper teeth and force a narrow stream of air down the groove of the tongue.
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tTouch the tongue tip to the bumpy ridge just behind the upper teeth, block the air, then release it with a puff.
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ɪRelax the tongue slightly lower and further back than for /iː/, keep the lips neutral, and make it short and lax.
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vUpper teeth on the lower lip, push air through the gap, and add voicing so the lip buzzes.
Silent letters in “exhaustive”
Letters you write but never say — this is the single biggest reason the word trips people up:
- hThe letter “h”Silent “h” — write it, but do not let it reach your mouth.
- eThe letter “e”Silent final “e” (it lengthens the vowel instead) — write it, but do not let it reach your mouth.
Minimal pairs — words one sound away from “exhaustive”
Each of these differs from “exhaustive” by exactly one sound. If you can say both of a pair and hear the difference, that sound is under control:
Questions people ask about “exhaustive”
- How do you pronounce “exhaustive”?
- “exhaustive” is pronounced /ɪɡˈzɔːstɪv/, with the stress on the second syllable (zɔː). Press the US or UK button above to hear it spoken.
- How many syllables are in “exhaustive”?
- “exhaustive” has 3 syllables: ɪɡ · zɔː · stɪv. The stress pattern is oOo.
- What is the common mispronunciation of “exhaustive”?
- People read it off the spelling as /ˈekshɔːstaɪv/, but it is actually /ɪɡˈzɔːstɪv/, because the silent “h” is not pronounced, even though the spelling begs you to say it.
- Does “exhaustive” have any silent letters?
- Yes — silent “h”, and silent final “e” (it lengthens the vowel instead).
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