How to pronounce regretfully
Say it like rih-GRET-fuh-lee. Regretfully has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (GRET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce regretfully. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- GRET
- fuh
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Regretfully pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- GRETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- fuhKeep 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 regretfully
American and British speakers say regretfully in essentially the same way: /rɪˈɡrɛtfəli/ in the US and /rɪˈɡrɛtfəli/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-GRET-fuh-lee.
What does regretfully mean?
- In a regretful manner, with regret.
- Unfortunately, in a manner inspiring or deserving regret; used only as a sentence adverb (to introduce and modify an entire sentence).
Where does regretfully come from?
From regretful + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying regretfully
How do you pronounce regretfully?
Say rih-GRET-fuh-lee. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈɡrɛtfəli/. In British English it is /rɪˈɡrɛtfəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in regretfully?
Regretfully has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (GRET). Broken into parts: rih · GRET · fuh · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say regretfully the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɪˈɡrɛtfəli/ and the British form is /rɪˈɡrɛtfəli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.