How to pronounce already
Say it like awl-RED-ee. Already has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RED).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce already. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- awl
- RED
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Already pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- awlKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- REDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of already
American and British speakers say already in essentially the same way: /ɔlˈrɛdi/ in the US and /ɔːlˈrɛdi/ in the UK.
British respelling: awl-RED-ee.
What does already mean?
- prior to a specified or implied time“she has already graduated”
Words that rhyme with already
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of already.
Questions about saying already
How do you pronounce already?
Say awl-RED-ee. The American pronunciation is /ɔlˈrɛdi/. In British English it is /ɔːlˈrɛdi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in already?
Already has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RED). Broken into parts: awl · RED · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say already the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɔlˈrɛdi/ and the British form is /ɔːlˈrɛdi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.