How to pronounce severely
Say it like suh-VEER-lee. Severely has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VEER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce severely. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- suh
- VEER
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Severely pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- VEERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of severely
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: suh-VEER-lee.
What does severely mean?
- to a severe or serious degree“fingers so badly frozen they had to be amputated”“badly injured”
- with sternness; in a severe manner“`No,' she said sternly”“peered severely over her glasses”
- causing great damage or hardship“industries hit hard by the depression”“she was severely affected by the bank's failure”
Where does severely come from?
From severe + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with severely
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of severely.
Questions about saying severely
How do you pronounce severely?
Say suh-VEER-lee. The American pronunciation is /səˈvɪrli/. In British English it is /səˈvɪəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in severely?
Severely has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VEER). Broken into parts: suh · VEER · lee.
Is severely 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 /səˈvɪəli/ (suh-VEER-lee).