How to pronounce cleanly
Say it like KLEEN-lee. Cleanly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KLEEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cleanly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KLEEN
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cleanly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KLEENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of cleanly
American and British speakers say cleanly in essentially the same way: /ˈklinli/ in the US and /ˈkliːnli/ in the UK.
British respelling: KLEEN-lee.
What does cleanly mean?
- In a clean way, neatly.
- Not causing a mess or unnecessary damage.“We agreed to break off our relationship cleanly.”
- Innocently; without stain.
- Being habitually clean, practising good hygiene.
Where does cleanly come from?
From Middle English clenly, clenliche, clanly, from Old English clǣnlīċ (“cleanly, pure, excellent”), equivalent to clean + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with cleanly
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of cleanly.
Questions about saying cleanly
How do you pronounce cleanly?
Say KLEEN-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈklinli/. In British English it is /ˈkliːnli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cleanly?
Cleanly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KLEEN). Broken into parts: KLEEN · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say cleanly the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈklinli/ and the British form is /ˈkliːnli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.