How to pronounce unlawfully
Say it like un-LAW-fuh-lee. Unlawfully has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce unlawfully. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- un
- LAW
- fuh
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unlawfully pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- fuhKeep 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 unlawfully
American and British speakers say unlawfully in essentially the same way: /ənˈlɔfəli/ in the US and /ənˈlɒfəli/ in the UK.
British respelling: un-LOF-uh-lee.
What does unlawfully mean?
- In a manner not conforming to the law.“The deceased was unlawfully killed during a riot.”
Where does unlawfully come from?
From unlawful + -ly or un- + lawfully.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying unlawfully
How do you pronounce unlawfully?
Say un-LAW-fuh-lee. The American pronunciation is /ənˈlɔfəli/. In British English it is /ənˈlɒfəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unlawfully?
Unlawfully has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAW). Broken into parts: un · LAW · fuh · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say unlawfully the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ənˈlɔfəli/ and the British form is /ənˈlɒfəli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.