How to pronounce literary
Say it like LIT-uh-rer-ee. Literary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LIT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce literary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LIT
- uh
- rer
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Literary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rerGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of literary
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: LIT-uh-ruh-ree.
What does literary mean?
- of or relating to or characteristic of literature“literary criticism”
- knowledgeable about literature“a literary style”
- appropriate to literature rather than everyday speech or writing“when trying to impress someone she spoke in an affected literary style”
Where does literary come from?
From French littéraire.
Questions about saying literary
How do you pronounce literary?
Say LIT-uh-rer-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɪtəˌrɛri/. In British English it is /ˈlɪtərəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in literary?
Literary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LIT). Broken into parts: LIT · uh · rer · ee.
Is literary pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈlɪtərəri/ (LIT-uh-ruh-ree).