How to pronounce suddenly
Say it like SUHD-un-lee. Suddenly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUHD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce suddenly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SUHD
- un
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Suddenly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SUHDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- unKeep 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 suddenly
American and British speakers say suddenly in essentially the same way: /ˈsʌdənli/ in the US and /ˈsʌdənli/ in the UK.
British respelling: SUHD-un-lee.
What does suddenly mean?
- happening unexpectedly“suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her side”
- quickly and without warning“he stopped suddenly”
- on impulse; without premeditation“he decided to go to Chicago on the spur of the moment”“he made up his mind suddenly”
Where does suddenly come from?
Inherited from Middle English sodenly, sodeynly, sodeinliche, sodaynlyche; equivalent to sudden + -ly.
Questions about saying suddenly
How do you pronounce suddenly?
Say SUHD-un-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈsʌdənli/. In British English it is /ˈsʌdənli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in suddenly?
Suddenly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUHD). Broken into parts: SUHD · un · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say suddenly the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsʌdənli/ and the British form is /ˈsʌdənli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.