How to pronounce perfectly
Say it like PUR-fukt-lee. Perfectly has three 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 perfectly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PUR
- fukt
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Perfectly 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.
- fuktKeep 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 perfectly
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PUR-fikt-lee.
What does perfectly mean?
- completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers“an absolutely magnificent painting”“a perfectly idiotic idea”
- in a perfect or faultless way“She performed perfectly on the balance beam”“spoke English perfectly”
Where does perfectly come from?
From perfect + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying perfectly
How do you pronounce perfectly?
Say PUR-fukt-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɝfəktli/. In British English it is /ˈpɜːfɪktli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in perfectly?
Perfectly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUR). Broken into parts: PUR · fukt · lee.
Is perfectly 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 /ˈpɜːfɪktli/ (PUR-fikt-lee).