How to pronounce pearly
Say it like PUR-lee. Pearly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pearly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PUR
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pearly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of pearly
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PUR-lee.
What does pearly mean?
- Of a pale grayish white color, tinted with blue.
- Resembling or characteristic of a pearl; nacreous.“a pearly luster”
- Containing or yielding pearls.
- A pale grayish white color, tinted with blue.
- A tooth.
Where does pearly come from?
From pearl + -y.
Words that rhyme with pearly
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of pearly.
Questions about saying pearly
How do you pronounce pearly?
Say PUR-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɝli/. In British English it is /ˈpɜːli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pearly?
Pearly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUR). Broken into parts: PUR · lee.
Is pearly 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 /ˈpɜːli/ (PUR-lee).