How to pronounce potentially
Say it like puh-TEN-shuh-lee. Potentially has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce potentially. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- puh
- TEN
- shuh
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Potentially pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shuhKeep 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 potentially
American and British speakers say potentially in essentially the same way: /pəˈtɛnʃəli/ in the US and /pəˈtɛnʃəli/ in the UK.
British respelling: puh-TEN-shuh-lee.
What does potentially mean?
- with a possibility of becoming actual“he is potentially dangerous”“potentially useful”
Where does potentially come from?
From potential + -ly.
Words that rhyme with potentially
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of potentially.
Questions about saying potentially
How do you pronounce potentially?
Say puh-TEN-shuh-lee. The American pronunciation is /pəˈtɛnʃəli/. In British English it is /pəˈtɛnʃəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in potentially?
Potentially has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEN). Broken into parts: puh · TEN · shuh · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say potentially the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /pəˈtɛnʃəli/ and the British form is /pəˈtɛnʃəli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.