How to pronounce portly
Say it like PORT-lee. Portly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PORT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce portly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PORT
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Portly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PORTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of portly
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PAWT-lee.
What does portly mean?
- Somewhat fat, pudgy, overweight.
Where does portly come from?
From an archaic sense of port (“manner in which a person carries himself; bearing; deportment; carriage”) + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with portly
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of portly.
Questions about saying portly
How do you pronounce portly?
Say PORT-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɔrtli/. In British English it is /ˈpɔːtli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in portly?
Portly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PORT). Broken into parts: PORT · lee.
Is portly 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 /ˈpɔːtli/ (PAWT-lee).