6 syllables: e, lec, tron, i, cal, ly. Stress on tron.
il-ek-TRAH-nik-uh-lee
/ˌɪˌlɛkˈtɹɑnɪkəˌli/
electronically is pronounced il-ek-TRAH-nik-uh-lee (/ˌɪˌlɛkˈtɹɑnɪkəˌli/). It has six syllables (e-lec-tron-i-cal-ly), with the stress on "tron". Electronically means by using or relating to electronics, especially in a way that involves the transmission or processing of information through electrical or digital devices. It implies operation via electronic systems and often refers to methods or tools that depend on electronic signals rather than mechanical means. The term is commonly used across technical, legal, and everyday contexts to denote electronic rather than manual or analog methods.
Electronically means by using or relating to electronics, especially in a way that involves the transmission or processing of information through electrical or digital devices. It implies operation via electronic systems and often refers to methods or tools that depend on electronic signals rather than mechanical means. The term is commonly used across technical, legal, and everyday contexts to denote electronic rather than manual or analog methods.
"The documents were sent electronically over the secure network."
"She filed the report electronically, uploading it to the portal before the meeting."
"The device can be controlled electronically, using a touch screen or app."
Pronounce it as /ˌɪˌlɛkˈtrɒnɪkli/ in US and UK forms, with secondary stress on the first syllable. Break it as e-lec-tron-ic-ly, stressing the third syllable more strongly: e-lec-TRON-ic-ly. Start with a short i in the first syllable, then the ‘lec’ as /lɛk/, followed by a clear /ˈtrɒn/ in American English. The final /-li/ is a light, quick ending. For precise practice, aim for a clean /ˌɪˌlɛkˈtrɒnɪkli/ rhythm and avoid tensing the jaw excessively on the last two syllables.
Common errors include wrongly stressing the second syllable or merging /lɛk/ with /trɒ/ leading to /ˌɪˈlɛktrɒnɪkli/ or misplacing the syllable stress on /ˈtrɒn/. Another frequent mistake is pronouncing the final -ly as a separate, heavy syllable instead of a light, quick ending. To correct: keep the primary stress on the /ˈtrɒn/ and keep the /ɪkli/ light and fast. Practice breaking into 4-5 phonemic chunks and gradually increase speed while maintaining clear vowel qualities.
In US English, the vowels tend to be bolder on /ɪ/ and /ɒ/ with rhoticity influencing the /r/ sound in an American accent near the center. UK English often reduces the /ɒ/ toward a shorter, rounded vowel and features a non-rhotic /r/ (almost silent), giving /ˌɪˌlɛkˈtrɒnɪkli/ with a crisper final /li/. Australian English shares rhoticity with US, but tends to have a slightly higher, closer front vowel in /ɪ/ and a flatter /ɒ/ depending on region; final -ly remains light. Overall, the primary differences are rhoticity and vowel quality in /ɒ/ and /ɪ/.
The difficulty stems from multiple adjacent syllables with distinct vowels and a cluster at /lɛkˈtrɒn-ɪk/ that requires precise timing. The heavy stress on the /ˈtrɒn/ syllable can cause misplacement, and the sequence /-ə-nɪkli/ requires a quick reduction without blurring the preceding consonant. Additionally, the juxtaposition of /l/ and /t/ sequences can tempt learners to insert an extra vowel between them.练 (note: avoid non-English characters) Practice awareness of three strong syllables and keep the final /li/ unstressed.
A practical tip: nest the three strong segments e-LEC-tron-IC-ly with the main beat landing on /ˈtrɒn/. Visualize the word as 5 phoneme groups: /ɪ/ - /lɛk/ - /ˈtrɒ/ - /nɪk/ - /li/. Use isochrony: each group roughly equal duration except the stressed /ˈtrɒn/. Practicing with intentional pacing and tapping the syllable boundaries helps enforce rhythm and prevents fast, slurred endings.
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Electronically derives from the root electronic, which comes from electron- (referring to electrons) combined with the suffix -ic to form electronic, then -ally to form electronically. The root electron- stems from the Greek elektron meaning amber, used historically in early electricity experiments (e.g., static electricity). The suffix -ic creates an adjective meaning ‘pertaining to electricity or electronics.’ The adverbial -ly forms electronically, meaning ‘in an electronic manner.’ The first widely attested uses appeared as electronics became common in the 20th century, with electronically as a modifier or adverb in technical writing and later in general usage as digital and electronic methods expanded. The term’s evolution tracks the growth of electronic devices from lab prototypes to ubiquitous consumer tech, with electronically signifying actions performed by electronic means rather than manual processes. Early sources emphasize “electronically controlled” systems; later, “electronically powered” and “electronically mediated” became standard in manuals, contracts, and software documentation. As technology advanced, electronically also began to signify internet-enabled or digitally integrated processes in legal and administrative contexts.
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Words that rhyme with "electronically"
-lly sounds
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