How to pronounce slightly
Say it like SLYTE-lee. Slightly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SLYTE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce slightly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SLYTE
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Slightly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SLYTESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of slightly
American and British speakers say slightly in essentially the same way: /ˈslaɪtli/ in the US and /ˈslaɪtli/ in the UK.
British respelling: SLYTE-lee.
What does slightly mean?
- to a small degree or extent“his arguments were somewhat self-contradictory”“the children argued because one slice of cake was slightly larger than the other”
- in a slim or slender manner“a slenderly built woman”“slightly built”
Where does slightly come from?
From slight + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with slightly
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of slightly.
Questions about saying slightly
How do you pronounce slightly?
Say SLYTE-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈslaɪtli/. In British English it is /ˈslaɪtli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in slightly?
Slightly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SLYTE). Broken into parts: SLYTE · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say slightly the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈslaɪtli/ and the British form is /ˈslaɪtli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.