How to pronounce harshly
Say it like HARSH-lee. Harshly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HARSH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce harshly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HARSH
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Harshly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HARSHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of harshly
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HAHSH-lee.
What does harshly mean?
- In a harsh manner; severely.
Where does harshly come from?
From harsh + -ly.
Questions about saying harshly
How do you pronounce harshly?
Say HARSH-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɑrʃli/. In British English it is /ˈhɑːʃli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in harshly?
Harshly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HARSH). Broken into parts: HARSH · lee.
Is harshly 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 /ˈhɑːʃli/ (HAHSH-lee).