How to pronounce kindly
Say it like KYND-lee. Kindly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KYND).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce kindly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KYND
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kindly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KYNDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of kindly
American and British speakers say kindly in essentially the same way: /ˈkaɪndli/ in the US and /ˈkaɪndli/ in the UK.
British respelling: KYND-lee.
What does kindly mean?
- showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity“was charitable in his opinions of others”“kindly criticism”
- pleasant and agreeable“a kindly climate”“kindly breeze”
- in a kind manner or out of kindness“He spoke kindly to the boy”“she kindly overlooked the mistake”
Where does kindly come from?
From Middle English kyndely, kyndeliche, from Old English cyndelīċ (“natural, kindly”); equivalent to kind + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with kindly
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of kindly.
Questions about saying kindly
How do you pronounce kindly?
Say KYND-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈkaɪndli/. In British English it is /ˈkaɪndli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in kindly?
Kindly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KYND). Broken into parts: KYND · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say kindly the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkaɪndli/ and the British form is /ˈkaɪndli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.