How to pronounce chiefly
Say it like CHEE-flee. Chiefly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (CHEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce chiefly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- CHEE
- flee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Chiefly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- CHEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- fleeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of chiefly
American and British speakers say chiefly in essentially the same way: /ˈtʃifli/ in the US and /ˈtʃiːfli/ in the UK.
British respelling: CHEE-flee.
What does chiefly mean?
- Especially or primarily; above all.“Their relationship is chiefly professional.”
- Mainly or principally; almost entirely.
- Of or relating to a chief.
Where does chiefly come from?
From Middle English chefly; equivalent to chief + -ly (adverbial suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with chiefly
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of chiefly.
Questions about saying chiefly
How do you pronounce chiefly?
Say CHEE-flee. The American pronunciation is /ˈtʃifli/. In British English it is /ˈtʃiːfli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in chiefly?
Chiefly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (CHEE). Broken into parts: CHEE · flee.
Do Americans and Brits say chiefly the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtʃifli/ and the British form is /ˈtʃiːfli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.