How to Pronounce Reflexive

To pronounce "reflexive", say REFL-ex-iv-e — 4 syllables, IPA /ɹəˈflɛksɪv/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

reflexive

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying reflexive, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

4

Syllables

9

Letters

/ɹəˈflɛksɪv/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “reflexive”

"reflexive" has 4 syllables: refl-ex-iv-e.

What does reflexive mean?

adjective

  1. That reflects, or redirects back to the source.

    “Mirrors are reflective.”

  2. Pondering, especially thinking back on the past.

    “He always becomes reflective in preparation for the new year.”

noun

  1. (grammar) A reflexive pronoun.
  2. (grammar) A reflexive verb.

adjective

  1. (grammar) Referring back to the subject, or having an object equal to the subject.
  2. Of a relation R on a set S, such that xRx for all members x of S (that is, the relation holds between any element of the set and itself).

    “"Equals" is a reflexive relation.”

Antonyms

irreflexivenon-reflexivenonreflexive

Related words

reflexautomaticbackwardinvoluntaryself-referentmutualreciprocalthoughtful

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "reflexive"?▾

"Reflexive" has 4 syllables: refl · ex · iv · e.

What is the IPA transcription of "reflexive"?▾

The IPA transcription of "reflexive" is /ɹəˈflɛksɪv/.

What does "reflexive" mean?▾

Reflexive: That reflects, or redirects back to the source.

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “reflexive” in the full dictionary →