How to pronounce motherly
Say it like MUHTH-er-lee. Motherly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MUHTH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce motherly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MUHTH
- er
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Motherly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MUHTHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- 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 motherly
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: MUHTH-uh-lee.
What does motherly mean?
- Befitting a mother; warm, caring, nurturing, protective, loving.
- In a way pertaining to, befitting, or of a mother.
Where does motherly come from?
From Middle English moderly, from Old English mōdorlīċ (“motherly, maternal”), from Proto-Germanic *mōdērlīkaz (“motherly, maternal”), equivalent to mother + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with motherly
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of motherly.
Questions about saying motherly
How do you pronounce motherly?
Say MUHTH-er-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈmʌðɚli/. In British English it is /ˈmʌðəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in motherly?
Motherly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MUHTH). Broken into parts: MUHTH · er · lee.
Is motherly 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 /ˈmʌðəli/ (MUHTH-uh-lee).