How to pronounce deathly
Say it like DETH-lee. Deathly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DETH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce deathly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DETH
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Deathly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DETHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of deathly
American and British speakers say deathly in essentially the same way: /ˈdɛθli/ in the US and /ˈdɛθli/ in the UK.
British respelling: DETH-lee.
What does deathly mean?
- Appearing as though dead, or on the verge of death.“He has a deathly pallor.”
- Deadly, fatal, causing death.
- Extreme.“He has a deathly fear of crocodiles.”
- In a way that resembles death.“He was deathly pale.”
- Extremely, dreadfully.“The water was deathly cold.”
Where does deathly come from?
From Middle English dethlich, from Old English dēaþlīċ, equivalent to death + -ly.
Questions about saying deathly
How do you pronounce deathly?
Say DETH-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɛθli/. In British English it is /ˈdɛθli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in deathly?
Deathly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DETH). Broken into parts: DETH · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say deathly the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɛθli/ and the British form is /ˈdɛθli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.