How do you pronounce "defensive"?

In American English: /dɪˈfɛnsɪv/ (di-FEHNS-iv). In British English: /dɪfˈɛnsɪv/ (dif-EHNS-iv). In Canadian English: /dɪˈfɛnsɪv/ (di-FEHNS-iv). In Australian English: /dɪfˈɛnsɪv/ (dif-EHNS-iv).

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

Yes. In American English it's pronounced /dɪˈfɛnsɪv/ (di-FEHNS-iv), while in British English it's /dɪfˈɛnsɪv/ (dif-EHNS-iv).

How to Pronounce "defensive"

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defensive

/dɪˈfɛnsɪv/

di-FEHNS-iv

Syllable Breakdown

dɪde·fɛnsfen·ɪvsive

Source

90%confidence📘 CMU Pronouncing Dictionary v0.7b

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Last updated: 2026-02-14