4 syllables: com, fort, a, bly. Stress on com.
KUHM-fur-tuh-blee
/ˈkʌmfɚtəbli/
comfortably is pronounced KUHM-fur-tuh-blee (/ˈkʌmfɚtəbli/). It has four syllables (com-fort-a-bly), with the stress on "com". Comfortably means in a way that provides ease and physical ease, without strain or discomfort. It can describe a state or manner that is sufficiently pleasant or secure to allow relaxation or ease of movement. The term implies a degree of ease that is practical and sustainable in a given situation.
Comfortably means in a way that provides ease and physical ease, without strain or discomfort. It can describe a state or manner that is sufficiently pleasant or secure to allow relaxation or ease of movement. The term implies a degree of ease that is practical and sustainable in a given situation.
- You often misplace the stress, saying com-FORT-a-blee or com-for-TAB-ly; focus on the strong first syllable and a light, quick following syllables. - The middle /ər/ can flatten to a dull schwa or overly elongate; aim for a relaxed, quick /ər/ that doesn’t steal from the final /bli/. - Final cluster /bli/ must end with a crisp /i/; avoid a trailing /ee/ or /a/ sound. Practice maintaining a clean release into the final syllable while preserving light airflow. - In connected speech, the /t/ may be reduced; ensure you retain the boundary by quick, light touch of the tongue to the alveolar ridge without a harsh stop. - Do not over-enunciate; keep a natural cadence to avoid sounding stilted or overly precise.
"She settled into the chair comfortably after a long day."
"The room was comfortably warm, not too hot or cold."
"He spoke comfortably with the interviewer, making jokes and sharing thoughts."
Pronounce as /ˈkʌm.fər.tə.bli/ (US) or /ˈkʌm.fɔːt.li/ (UK). Start with a stressed first syllable /ˈkʌm/ (sound like 'come' with an m). The second syllable is schwa-r, /fər/, then /tə/ in the third, and end with /bli/ as “blee.” Tip: keep the tongue relaxed, avoid t-splitting. You’ll hear rhythm: strong-weak-weak-weak. For reference, imagine 'com-for-tuh-blee' with a smooth flow. Audio example: use Cambridge/Forvo links or Pronounce for a native-like cadence.
Common errors include: (1) stressing the wrong syllable (often displacing to /ˈkɒm-ər-ˌtæ-bəl-i/ or similar) and (2) over-enunciating the /t/ or turning /t/ into a clear /d/ in rapid speech, (3) reducing the /ər/ to a simple /ə/ or mispronouncing /bli/ as /bliː/ without a light /l/ transition. Correct by keeping /ˈkʌm/ as the beat, use a soft /ər/ in the second syllable, emit a short /tə/ before the final /bli/ without extra vowel length. Practice with minimal pairs: come-come, comfortable-comfortable-ly.
US tends to pronounce as /ˈkʌm.fər.tə.bli/ with a rhotacized /ər/ and a clearly unstressed /ə/ in /tə/. UK often reduces to /ˈkʌm.fɔːt.li/ with a longer vowel in the first content word and a crisper /t/; rhoticity is non-rhotic for many speakers, so /ər/ may become /ə/ or 'uh' in some dialects. Australian typically aligns with non-rhotic tendencies but keeps a more centralized /ə/ in /tə/ and a lighter /l/ in /bli/. Pay attention to /fər/ vs /fɔːt/ substitutions and rhotic presence. Reference IPA variations for each region.
The difficulty lies in coordinating a multi-syllabic sequence with a cluster (/m/ + /f/ + /ər/), plus a trailing unstressed note in /bli/. The second syllable /ər/ often reduces to a schwa with a quick, soft vowel, and the final /bli/ requires a light /l/ and a crisp /i/ vowel without vowel lengthening. Stress placement on the first syllable must be maintained in connected speech, even when speaking quickly. Mastery requires precise tongue position and fluid air flow.
In most US casual speech, the /t/ in the middle syllable of comfortably is not fully released; it can become a tap [ɾ] or even a slight glottal stop depending on pacing, especially before a stressed or unstressed vowel. In careful speech you’ll articulate it as a clear /t/ to maintain the syllable boundary (/ˈkʌm.fər.tə.bli/). The difference is subtle but noticeable in rhythm and can affect perceived formality.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "comfortably"!
- US: rhotic /ɹ/ in /ər/ keeps a rounded quality; maintain a relaxed jaw, slight /ɹ/ coloring in /ər/ and a neutral /ə/ for /tə/. - UK: less rhotic influence; /ər/ may be muted to /ə/ or /ɔː/ depending on speaker; ensure /t/ remains a crisp-stop or tap; keep final /bli/ neat with a light /l/. - AU: often closer to UK but with stronger final 'l' and more centralized vowels; practice with a gentle, non-velar /l/ in /bli/ and ensure the middle /ə/ does not merge with /ɪ/. - IPA cues: US /ˈkʌm.fər.tə.bli/, UK /ˈkɒm.fɔːt.li/, AU /ˈkɒm.fɔːt.li/; focus on rhotic or non-rhotic differences; keep the middle vowel as a lax schwa /ə/ or /ɐ/ in non-rhotic accents, and preserve a crisp /t/.
Comfortably is formed from comfort (from Old French confort, Latin confortare “to strengthen, encourage,” from com- “together” + fortis “strong”) plus the -able suffix indicating capability. The sense developed through Middle English into Early Modern English to mean capable of providing ease or relief. The word expansions tracked with the rise of consumer comfort in domestic life, furniture design, and social etiquette, evolving from literal physical ease to broader figurative ease in demeanor or state. First known prints for comfortably appear in the 15th-16th centuries, with the adverbial use becoming common in the 19th century as English grammar increasingly favored -ly forms to modify verbs and adjectives. The modern sense, emphasizing a state of ease and lack of discomfort, crystallized in the 20th century as everyday speech focused on comfort and convenience in living and working environments.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "comfortably" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "comfortably" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "comfortably" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "comfortably"
-ber sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
