How do you pronounce "defective"?

In American English: /dɪˈfɛktɪv/ (di-FEHKT-iv). In British English: /dɪfˈɛktɪv/ (dif-EHKT-iv). In Canadian English: /dɪˈfɛktɪv/ (di-FEHKT-iv). In Australian English: /dɪfˈɛktɪv/ (dif-EHKT-iv).

Is "defective" pronounced differently in American and British English?

Yes. In American English it's pronounced /dɪˈfɛktɪv/ (di-FEHKT-iv), while in British English it's /dɪfˈɛktɪv/ (dif-EHKT-iv).

How to Pronounce "defective"

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defective

/dɪˈfɛktɪv/

di-FEHKT-iv

Syllable Breakdown

dɪde·fɛktfec·ɪvtive

Source

90%confidence📘 CMU Pronouncing Dictionary v0.7b

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Last updated: 2026-02-14