How to pronounce terribly
Say it like TER-uh-blee. Terribly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce terribly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TER
- uh
- blee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Terribly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- bleeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of terribly
American and British speakers say terribly in essentially the same way: /ˈtɛrəbli/ in the US and /ˈtɛrɪbli/ in the UK.
British respelling: TER-ih-blee.
What does terribly mean?
- used as intensifiers“terribly interesting”“I'm awful sorry”
- in a terrible manner“she sings terribly”
Where does terribly come from?
Inherited from Middle English terribli.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with terribly
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of terribly.
Questions about saying terribly
How do you pronounce terribly?
Say TER-uh-blee. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɛrəbli/. In British English it is /ˈtɛrɪbli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in terribly?
Terribly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TER). Broken into parts: TER · uh · blee.
Do Americans and Brits say terribly the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtɛrəbli/ and the British form is /ˈtɛrɪbli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.