How to pronounce willingly
Say it like WIL-ing-lee. Willingly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WIL).
- WIL
- ing
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Willingly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of willingly
American and British speakers say willingly in essentially the same way: /ˈwɪlɪŋli/ in the US and /ˈwɪlɪŋli/ in the UK.
British respelling: WIL-ing-lee.
What does willingly mean?
- in a willing manner“I willingly accept”
Where does willingly come from?
From Middle English willyngly, wyllyngly (“intentionally, deliverately; freely, gladly”), from Old English willendlīċe (“diligently”), equivalent to willing + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with willingly
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of willingly.
Questions about saying willingly
How do you pronounce willingly?
Say WIL-ing-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɪlɪŋli/. In British English it is /ˈwɪlɪŋli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in willingly?
Willingly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WIL). Broken into parts: WIL · ing · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say willingly the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈwɪlɪŋli/ and the British form is /ˈwɪlɪŋli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.