How to pronounce entirely
Say it like in-TY-er-lee. Entirely has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce entirely. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- TY
- er
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Entirely pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- TYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of entirely
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: in-TY-uh-lee.
What does entirely mean?
- to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (whole is often used informally for wholly)“he was wholly convinced”“entirely satisfied with the meal”
- without any others being included or involved“was entirely to blame”“a school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children”
Where does entirely come from?
From Middle English entyerly, entierly, enterely, entyreliche, equivalent to entire + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying entirely
How do you pronounce entirely?
Say in-TY-er-lee. The American pronunciation is /ɪnˈtaɪɚli/. In British English it is /ɪnˈtaɪəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in entirely?
Entirely has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TY). Broken into parts: in · TY · er · lee.
Is entirely 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 /ɪnˈtaɪəli/ (in-TY-uh-lee).