How to pronounce improperly
Say it like im-PROP-er-lee. Improperly has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PROP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce improperly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- im
- PROP
- er
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Improperly 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.
- PROPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- erKeep 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 improperly
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: im-PROP-uh-lee.
What does improperly mean?
- In an improper manner; not properly.
Where does improperly come from?
From Middle English improprelich, impropreliche, impropurly, inproperlye; equivalent to improper + -ly or im- + properly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying improperly
How do you pronounce improperly?
Say im-PROP-er-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪmˈprɑpɚli/. In British English it is /ˌɪmˈprɒpəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in improperly?
Improperly has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PROP). Broken into parts: im · PROP · er · lee.
Is improperly 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 /ˌɪmˈprɒpəli/ (im-PROP-uh-lee).