How to pronounce comply
Say it like kum-PLY. Comply has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PLY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce comply. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kum
- PLY
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Comply pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PLYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of comply
American and British speakers say comply in essentially the same way: /kəmˈplaɪ/ in the US and /kəmˈplaɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: kum-PLY.
What does comply mean?
- act in accordance with someone's rules, commands, or wishes“He complied with my instructions”“You must comply or else!”
Where does comply come from?
The word is very close to the French verb complaire which means to satisfy or to please.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with comply
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of comply.
Questions about saying comply
How do you pronounce comply?
Say kum-PLY. The American pronunciation is /kəmˈplaɪ/. In British English it is /kəmˈplaɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in comply?
Comply has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PLY). Broken into parts: kum · PLY.
Do Americans and Brits say comply the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kəmˈplaɪ/ and the British form is /kəmˈplaɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.