How to pronounce accidentally
Say it like ak-suh-DEN-tuh-lee. Accidentally has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (DEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce accidentally. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ak
- suh
- DEN
- tuh
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Accidentally pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- akGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- DENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of accidentally
American and British speakers say accidentally in essentially the same way: /ˌæksəˈdɛntəli/ in the US and /ˌæksɪˈdɛntəli/ in the UK.
British respelling: ak-sih-DEN-tuh-lee.
What does accidentally mean?
- without advance planning“they met accidentally”
- of a minor or subordinate nature“these magnificent achievements were only incidentally influenced by Oriental models”
- without intention; in an unintentional manner“she hit him unintentionally”
Where does accidentally come from?
From accidental + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with accidentally
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of accidentally.
Questions about saying accidentally
How do you pronounce accidentally?
Say ak-suh-DEN-tuh-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˌæksəˈdɛntəli/. In British English it is /ˌæksɪˈdɛntəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in accidentally?
Accidentally has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (DEN). Broken into parts: ak · suh · DEN · tuh · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say accidentally the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌæksəˈdɛntəli/ and the British form is /ˌæksɪˈdɛntəli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.