How to pronounce fatherly
Say it like FAH-ther-lee. Fatherly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce fatherly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FAH
- ther
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fatherly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- therKeep 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 fatherly
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: FAH-thuh-lee.
What does fatherly mean?
- Characteristic of what is considered the ideal behavior pertaining to fatherhood.
- Befitting of a father; protective, paternal.
- In a way pertaining to, befitting, or of a father.
Where does fatherly come from?
From Middle English faderly, from Old English fæderlīċ (“fatherly, paternal”), from Proto-West Germanic *faderlīk, from Proto-Germanic *fadurlīkaz (“fatherly, paternal”), equivalent to father + -ly.
Questions about saying fatherly
How do you pronounce fatherly?
Say FAH-ther-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɑðɚli/. In British English it is /ˈfɑːðəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fatherly?
Fatherly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FAH). Broken into parts: FAH · ther · lee.
Is fatherly 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 /ˈfɑːðəli/ (FAH-thuh-lee).