How to pronounce sternly
Say it like STURN-lee. Sternly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STURN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sternly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- STURN
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sternly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- STURNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of sternly
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: STURN-lee.
What does sternly mean?
- In a stern manner.
Where does sternly come from?
From Middle English sternly, sternely, sterneliche, sturnely, sturneliche, from Old English stirnlīċe, styrnlīċe, stiernlīċe (“harshly; severely; sternly”), equivalent to stern + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying sternly
How do you pronounce sternly?
Say STURN-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈstɝnli/. In British English it is /ˈstɜːnli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sternly?
Sternly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STURN). Broken into parts: STURN · lee.
Is sternly 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 /ˈstɜːnli/ (STURN-lee).