How to pronounce deftly
Say it like DEFT-lee. Deftly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEFT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce deftly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DEFT
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Deftly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DEFTSay 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 deftly
American and British speakers say deftly in essentially the same way: /ˈdɛftli/ in the US and /ˈdɛftli/ in the UK.
British respelling: DEFT-lee.
What does deftly mean?
- In a deft manner; quickly and neatly in action.
Where does deftly come from?
From deft + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying deftly
How do you pronounce deftly?
Say DEFT-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɛftli/. In British English it is /ˈdɛftli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in deftly?
Deftly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEFT). Broken into parts: DEFT · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say deftly the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɛftli/ and the British form is /ˈdɛftli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.