How to pronounce narrowly
Say it like NER-oh-lee. Narrowly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce narrowly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NER
- oh
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Narrowly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of narrowly
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: NAR-oh-lee.
What does narrowly mean?
- in a narrow manner; not allowing for exceptions“he interprets the law narrowly”
Where does narrowly come from?
From Middle English narowly, equivalent to narrow + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying narrowly
How do you pronounce narrowly?
Say NER-oh-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈnɛroʊli/. In British English it is /ˈnærəʊli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in narrowly?
Narrowly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NER). Broken into parts: NER · oh · lee.
Is narrowly pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈnærəʊli/ (NAR-oh-lee).