How to pronounce bodily
Say it like BOD-uh-lee. Bodily has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BOD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bodily. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BOD
- uh
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bodily pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BODSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep 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 bodily
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: BOD-ih-lee.
What does bodily mean?
- in bodily form“he was translated bodily to heaven”
- of or relating to or belonging to the body“a bodily organ”“bodily functions”
- affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit“bodily needs”“a corporal defect”
- having or relating to a physical material body“bodily existence”
Where does bodily come from?
From Middle English bodily; equivalent to body + -ly.
Questions about saying bodily
How do you pronounce bodily?
Say BOD-uh-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɑdəli/. In British English it is /ˈbɒdɪli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bodily?
Bodily has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BOD). Broken into parts: BOD · uh · lee.
Is bodily pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈbɒdɪli/ (BOD-ih-lee).