How to pronounce honestly
Say it like ON-ust-lee. Honestly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce honestly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ON
- ust
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Honestly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ustKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of honestly
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: ON-ist-lee.
What does honestly mean?
- (used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that“honestly, I don't believe it”“candidly, I think she doesn't have a conscience”
- in an honest manner“in he can't get it honestly, he is willing to steal it”“was known for dealing aboveboard in everything”
Where does honestly come from?
From Middle English honestly, honestlyche, honestliche, equivalent to honest + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying honestly
How do you pronounce honestly?
Say ON-ust-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑnəstli/. In British English it is /ˈɒnɪstli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in honestly?
Honestly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ON). Broken into parts: ON · ust · lee.
Is honestly pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈɒnɪstli/ (ON-ist-lee).