Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

inattentive

/ˌɪn.əˈtɛn.tɪv/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.44 in modern English

Syllables: inat-ten-tive
IPA: /ˌɪn.əˈtɛn.tɪv/

14

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

4

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Of or pertaining to a lack of attention; not paying attention; careless.

Example Sentences

"He was inattentive in class and did not do well in his exams."

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Italic *n̥- Latin in-bor. Middle English in- English in- English attentive English inattentive From in- + attentive.

Inflected Forms

more inattentive (comparative) most inattentive (superlative)

Derived Forms

inattentively inattentiveness

Synonyms

absent-minded distracted distrait unconcentrated neglectful

Antonyms

attentive vigilant

Rhymes With

incentive preventive attentive inventive disincentive

Questions

How do you pronounce inattentive?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌɪn.əˈtɛn.tɪv/.
What does inattentive mean?: Of or pertaining to a lack of attention; not paying attention; careless.
Where does inattentive come from?: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Italic *n̥- Latin in-bor. Middle English in- English in- English attentive English inattentive From in- + attentive.

How to pronounce inattentive

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “inattentive”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌɪn.əˈtɛn.tɪv/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “inattentive”.
Repeat and practice — Say “inattentive” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.