How to pronounce fairly
Say it like FAIR-lee. Fairly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FAIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce fairly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FAIR
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fairly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FAIRSay 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 fairly
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: FAIR-lee.
What does fairly mean?
- to certain extent or degree“pretty big”“pretty bad”
- without favoring one party, in a fair evenhanded manner“deal fairly with one another”
- in conformity with the rules or laws and without fraud or cheating“they played fairly”
Where does fairly come from?
From Middle English fayrly, fayrely, vayrliche, equivalent to fair + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with fairly
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of fairly.
Questions about saying fairly
How do you pronounce fairly?
Say FAIR-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɛrli/. In British English it is /ˈfɛəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fairly?
Fairly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FAIR). Broken into parts: FAIR · lee.
Is fairly 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 /ˈfɛəli/ (FAIR-lee).