How to pronounce dragonfly
Say it like DRAG-un-fly. Dragonfly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DRAG).
- DRAG
- un
- fly
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dragonfly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DRAGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- flyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of dragonfly
American and British speakers say dragonfly in essentially the same way: /ˈdræɡənˌflaɪ/ in the US and /ˈdræɡənˌflaɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: DRAG-un-fly.
What does dragonfly mean?
- An insect of the suborder Epiprocta or, more strictly, the infraorder Anisoptera, having four long transparent wings held perpendicular to a long body when perched.“There were two dragonflies in the garden today.”
Where does dragonfly come from?
From dragon + fly. Compare drakefly (“mayfly”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- adderbolt
- battimamselle
- darner
Questions about saying dragonfly
How do you pronounce dragonfly?
Say DRAG-un-fly. The American pronunciation is /ˈdræɡənˌflaɪ/. In British English it is /ˈdræɡənˌflaɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dragonfly?
Dragonfly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DRAG). Broken into parts: DRAG · un · fly.
Do Americans and Brits say dragonfly the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdræɡənˌflaɪ/ and the British form is /ˈdræɡənˌflaɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.