How to pronounce purposely
Say it like PUR-puh-slee. Purposely 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 purposely. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PUR
- puh
- slee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Purposely 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.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- sleeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of purposely
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PUR-puh-slee.
What does purposely mean?
- On purpose; intentionally.“I purposely left the door unlocked.”
Where does purposely come from?
From Middle English purposly; equivalent to purpose + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying purposely
How do you pronounce purposely?
Say PUR-puh-slee. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɝpəsli/. In British English it is /ˈpɜːpəsli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in purposely?
Purposely has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUR). Broken into parts: PUR · puh · slee.
Is purposely 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 /ˈpɜːpəsli/ (PUR-puh-slee).