in-TEYE-ur-lee
/ɪˈntaɪɚli/
entirely is pronounced in-TEYE-ur-lee (/ɪˈntaɪɚli/). Entirely means completely or totally, with no part left out. It emphasizes total completeness or extent, often contrasting with partial or partiality. In use, it conveys absolute entirety or thoroughness across duration, scope, or degree, and is commonly paired with adjectives or verbs to emphasize fullness.
Entirely means completely or totally, with no part left out. It emphasizes total completeness or extent, often contrasting with partial or partiality. In use, it conveys absolute entirety or thoroughness across duration, scope, or degree, and is commonly paired with adjectives or verbs to emphasize fullness.
"We were entirely convinced of his honesty after the long demonstration."
"The project was entirely funded by a single donor, leaving no remaining expenses."
"She was entirely unaware of the mistake until it was pointed out."
Pronounce as in-TAI-ər-lee with the primary stress on the second syllable: in-TAI-er-ly. The /ɪ/ of the first syllable is short, the /aɪ/ is a rising diphthong, and the /ər/ is a schwa+r combination commonly pronounced as a rhotacized or non-rhotic schwa depending on accent. In American and many UK pronunciations, you’ll hear /ɪnˈtaɪərli/. For clarity, keep the /t/ crisp and the final /li/ syllable light and quick.
Common errors include misplacing stress (talking like /ɪnˈteerli/ with wrong syllable), flattening the /aɪ/ into a short /ɪ/ or /eɪ/, and dropping the final -ly so you hear /ˈɒnˌtair/ or /ɪnˈtiər/. To correct: ensure the strong secondary syllable stress on -tire- /ˈtaɪə/ and maintain the long diphthong /aɪ/ in the second syllable; finish with a light /li/ without excessive voicing or vowel reduction. Practice with controlled tempo and minimal pairs.
In US, you commonly hear /ɪnˈtaɪərli/ with a clear rhotic r and a pronounced /ə/ before the -ly if present. UK English often features a non-rhotic ending with /ˈɪnˈtaɪə.li/ and a slightly reduced second syllable; Australians may have a flatter /ɜː/ or /ɪ/ in the second syllable, with a brighter /aɪ/ and a more clipped final /li/. The core diphthong /aɪ/ remains, but rhoticity and vowel quality shift the perceived rhythm.
The difficulty lies in coordinating the diphthong /aɪ/ across a multisyllabic word, holding the /t/ clearly, and ending with a light, quick /li/. The middle /ər/ can blur into a schwa in faster speech, and slight vowel reductions may alter the second syllable’s vowel. Mastering mouth positioning for /t/ and the transition from /aɪ/ to /ər/ requires focused practice, especially in connected speech.
A key feature is the two-syllable-into-four-syllable feel when spoken slowly: in-TAI-er-ly, with the second syllable carrying primary stress and the final -ly forming a weak, light syllable. You’ll notice the /ər/ may compress toward a schwa in rapid speech, while the /t/ remains a crisp alveolar stop. Emphasize the /aɪ/ sequence to avoid replacing it with /iː/ or /eɪ/.
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Entirely derives from the adjective entire, from Old French entier, from Latin integer, meaning whole or untouched. The suffix -ly attached to adjectives to form adverbs appears in English by the late Old English to Middle English periods, yielding entirely to describe the manner of completeness. The sense evolution moved from describing the whole of something physically (the entire cloth) to a broader figurative scope (entirely possible, entirely sure). First documented uses trace to Middle English and early Modern English as writers sought precision about degree or extent, gradually becoming the preferred adverbial form meaning “in total” or “to the full extent.” The root integer in Latin also lies behind words like integrity and integrate, reinforcing the semantic core of wholeness that underpins entirely. With time, entirely became a versatile adverb in formal and informal registers, capable of modifying verbs, adjectives, and even entire clauses to stress total completion or extent.
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Words that rhyme with "entirely"
-ely sounds
-ic) sounds
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