How to pronounce cleverly
Say it like KLEV-er-lee. Cleverly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KLEV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cleverly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KLEV
- er
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cleverly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KLEVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of cleverly
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KLEV-uh-lee.
What does cleverly mean?
- Wittily; in a tricky manner.“He joked cleverly with each guest.”
- Intelligently directed to a purpose.“Cleverly, he found ways of ingratiating himself with all the important guests.”
Where does cleverly come from?
From clever + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying cleverly
How do you pronounce cleverly?
Say KLEV-er-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈklɛvɚli/. In British English it is /ˈklɛvəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cleverly?
Cleverly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KLEV). Broken into parts: KLEV · er · lee.
Is cleverly 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 /ˈklɛvəli/ (KLEV-uh-lee).