How to pronounce legally
Say it like LEE-guh-lee. Legally has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce legally. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LEE
- guh
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Legally pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- guhKeep 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 legally
American and British speakers say legally in essentially the same way: /ˈliɡəli/ in the US and /ˈliːɡəli/ in the UK.
British respelling: LEE-guh-lee.
What does legally mean?
- by law; conforming to the law“we are lawfully wedded now”
- in a legal manner“he acted legally”
Where does legally come from?
From legal + -ly. Piecewise doublet of leally and loyally.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying legally
How do you pronounce legally?
Say LEE-guh-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈliɡəli/. In British English it is /ˈliːɡəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in legally?
Legally has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEE). Broken into parts: LEE · guh · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say legally the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈliɡəli/ and the British form is /ˈliːɡəli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.