How to pronounce carefully
Say it like KAIR-fuh-lee. Carefully has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce carefully. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAIR
- fuh
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Carefully pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- fuhKeep 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 carefully
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KAIR-fuh-lee.
What does carefully mean?
- taking care or paying attention“they watched carefully”
- as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact“she ventured cautiously downstairs”“they handled the incident with kid gloves”
Where does carefully come from?
From Middle English carfulli, carefulliche, from Old English carfullīċe, ċearfullīċe (“carefully, diligently”), equivalent to careful + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying carefully
How do you pronounce carefully?
Say KAIR-fuh-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɛrfəli/. In British English it is /ˈkɛəfəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in carefully?
Carefully has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAIR). Broken into parts: KAIR · fuh · lee.
Is carefully pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈkɛəfəli/ (KAIR-fuh-lee).