How to pronounce bristly
Say it like BRIS-lee. Bristly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BRIS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bristly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BRIS
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bristly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BRISSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of bristly
American and British speakers say bristly in essentially the same way: /ˈbrɪsli/ in the US and /ˈbrɪsli/ in the UK.
British respelling: BRIS-lee.
What does bristly mean?
- Covered with bristles.
- Easily antagonized; irascible; prone to bristling.
Where does bristly come from?
From Middle English bristli, brustly, equivalent to bristle + -y.
Questions about saying bristly
How do you pronounce bristly?
Say BRIS-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈbrɪsli/. In British English it is /ˈbrɪsli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bristly?
Bristly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BRIS). Broken into parts: BRIS · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say bristly the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbrɪsli/ and the British form is /ˈbrɪsli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.