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How to pronounce curtly

Say it like KURT-lee. Curtly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KURT).

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Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce curtly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.

US American/ˈkɝtli/KURT-lee
UK British/ˈkɜːtli/KURT-lee
  • KURT
  • lee
  • Main stress
  • Lighter stress
  • Unstressed

Curtly pronunciation, sound by sound

Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.

  1. KURTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
  2. leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.

American vs British pronunciation of curtly

  • Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.

British respelling: KURT-lee.

What does curtly mean?

adverb
  1. In a curt manner; tersely, almost rudely.

Where does curtly come from?

From curt + -ly.

Similar and opposite words

Similar meaning

Words that rhyme with curtly

Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of curtly.

Questions about saying curtly

How do you pronounce curtly?

Say KURT-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɝtli/. In British English it is /ˈkɜːtli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.

How many syllables are in curtly?

Curtly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KURT). Broken into parts: KURT · lee.

Is curtly 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 /ˈkɜːtli/ (KURT-lee).

Pronunciation from CMUdict; meaning and origin adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).