How to pronounce openly
Say it like OH-pun-lee. Openly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce openly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- pun
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Openly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- punKeep 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 openly
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: OH-pun-lee.
What does openly mean?
- in an open way“he openly flaunted his affection for his sister”
Where does openly come from?
From Middle English openli, from Old English openlīċe.
Questions about saying openly
How do you pronounce openly?
Say OH-pun-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊpənli/. In British English it is /ˈəʊpənli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in openly?
Openly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · pun · lee.
Is openly 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 /ˈəʊpənli/ (OH-pun-lee).