How to pronounce impossibly
Say it like im-POS-uh-blee. Impossibly has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (POS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce impossibly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- im
- POS
- uh
- blee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Impossibly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- imGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- POSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- bleeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of impossibly
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: im-POS-uh-blee.
What does impossibly mean?
- Not possibly; in an impossible manner.
- To the point of impossibility.“The topology problem was impossibly difficult.”
- Contrary to what had been thought possible.“Impossibly, after the water receded, the cat was found asleep on a chair jammed in a tree.”
Where does impossibly come from?
From impossible + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying impossibly
How do you pronounce impossibly?
Say im-POS-uh-blee. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪmˈpɑsəbli/. In British English it is /ˌɪmˈpɒsəbli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in impossibly?
Impossibly has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (POS). Broken into parts: im · POS · uh · blee.
Is impossibly 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 /ˌɪmˈpɒsəbli/ (im-POS-uh-blee).