adj
percussive
puh-KUH-sihv
Percussive (adj) means relating to or resembling the sharp, rhythmic sound of striking or pounding. Example: “The song opens with a percussive drumbeat.”
adj
1
Relating to or resembling the sharp, rhythmic sound of striking or pounding.
"The song opens with a percussive drumbeat."
"His typing had a percussive quality that annoyed his officemates."
How to use percussive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes something with a sharp, beating, drum-like quality.
Common pairings
percussive sound
percussive rhythm
percussive beat
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Word forms
- Plural
- percussives
- Comparative
- more percussive
- Superlative
- most percussive
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The song opens with a _____ drumbeat.
Etymology
Formed from "percuss" (to strike) plus the adjective suffix "-ive".
Rhymes for percussive
See all rhymes for percussive →Frequently asked questions
What does “percussive” mean?
The word “percussive” means relating to or resembling the sharp, rhythmic sound of striking or pounding. In plain terms, describes something with a sharp, beating, drum-like quality.
How do you pronounce “percussive”?
“Percussive” is pronounced puh-KUH-sihv (/pɚˈkʌsɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “percussive” in a sentence?
Here is “percussive” used in a sentence: “The song opens with a percussive drumbeat.”
What part of speech is “percussive”?
“Percussive” is an adjective.
