How to pronounce incompetently
Say it like in-KOM-puh-tunt-lee. Incompetently has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KOM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce incompetently. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- KOM
- puh
- tunt
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Incompetently pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- KOMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tuntKeep 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 incompetently
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: in-KOM-puh-tunt-lee.
What does incompetently mean?
- In an incompetent manner.
Where does incompetently come from?
From incompetent + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying incompetently
How do you pronounce incompetently?
Say in-KOM-puh-tunt-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈkɑmpətəntli/. In British English it is /ˌɪnˈkɒmpətəntli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in incompetently?
Incompetently has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KOM). Broken into parts: in · KOM · puh · tunt · lee.
Is incompetently 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 /ˌɪnˈkɒmpətəntli/ (in-KOM-puh-tunt-lee).