How to pronounce adequately
Say it like AD-uh-kwut-lee. Adequately has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce adequately. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AD
- uh
- kwut
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Adequately pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ADSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kwutKeep 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 adequately
American and British speakers say adequately in essentially the same way: /ˈædəkwətli/ in the US and /ˈædɪkwətli/ in the UK.
British respelling: AD-ih-kwut-lee.
What does adequately mean?
- in an adequate manner or to an adequate degree“he was adequately prepared”
Where does adequately come from?
From adequate + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying adequately
How do you pronounce adequately?
Say AD-uh-kwut-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈædəkwətli/. In British English it is /ˈædɪkwətli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in adequately?
Adequately has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AD). Broken into parts: AD · uh · kwut · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say adequately the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈædəkwətli/ and the British form is /ˈædɪkwətli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.