How to pronounce totally
Say it like TOH-tuh-lee. Totally has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce totally. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TOH
- tuh
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Totally pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- tuhKeep 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 totally
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: TOH-tuh-lee.
What does totally mean?
- to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (whole is often used informally for wholly)“he was wholly convinced”“entirely satisfied with the meal”
Where does totally come from?
From total + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying totally
How do you pronounce totally?
Say TOH-tuh-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈtoʊtəli/. In British English it is /ˈtəʊtəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in totally?
Totally has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TOH). Broken into parts: TOH · tuh · lee.
Is totally pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈtəʊtəli/ (TOH-tuh-lee).