How to pronounce nervously
Say it like NUR-vuh-slee. Nervously has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce nervously. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NUR
- vuh
- slee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nervously pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- vuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- sleeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of nervously
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: NUR-vuh-slee.
What does nervously mean?
- In a nervous manner; feeling or displaying nervousness.“He paced nervously as he waited for the important phone call.”
Where does nervously come from?
From nervous + -ly.
Questions about saying nervously
How do you pronounce nervously?
Say NUR-vuh-slee. The American pronunciation is /ˈnɝvəsli/. In British English it is /ˈnɜːvəsli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nervously?
Nervously has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NUR). Broken into parts: NUR · vuh · slee.
Is nervously 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 /ˈnɜːvəsli/ (NUR-vuh-slee).