4 syllables: ex, cit, ed, ly. Stress on cit.
ik-SEYE-tuhd-lee
/ɪˈksaɪtədli/
excitedly is pronounced ik-SEYE-tuhd-lee (/ɪˈksaɪtədli/). It has four syllables (ex-cit-ed-ly), with the stress on "cit". Excitedly means with heightened enthusiasm or energy, typically in a quick, animated manner. It conveys strong emotion and brisk tempo, often accompanied by expressive intonation. The adverb modifies actions or speech to show eagerness or fervor in how something is done.
Excitedly means with heightened enthusiasm or energy, typically in a quick, animated manner. It conveys strong emotion and brisk tempo, often accompanied by expressive intonation. The adverb modifies actions or speech to show eagerness or fervor in how something is done.
- You might rush the second syllable, making /ɪkˈsaɪ/ sound too short and flattening the primary stress. Slow that portion slightly to keep the long diphthong /aɪ/ intact, then snap into /tɪdli/. - The final -edli can blur into /-əli/ if you don’t release the /d/ clearly. Practice pausing briefly after the /t/ to articulate the /ɪ/ and then the /d/ cleanly before the /li/. - Don’t reduce the final /li/ by turning it into a syllabic /l/ or a weak /i/. Keep a light, precise /l/ with a crisp /i/.
"She spoke excitedly about the project’s potential at the team meeting."
"The crowd cheered excitedly as the band took the stage."
"He described the news excitedly, almost unable to contain his smile."
Pronounce as /ɪkˈsaɪtɪdli/. Start with a light schwa-ish first consonant cluster 'ik' (short I), stress on the second syllable 'SAI' (like 'sigh'), followed by 'tuhd-lee' with clear 't' and clear 'li' ending. Visualize 'excite' + 'dly' with a quick, clipped ending. IPA: ɪkˈsaɪtɪdli. You’ll hear a burst of energy on the second syllable before the final -dly.
Common errors include reducing the second syllable or merging -t/ -ed into a weak sound. People often say /ɪkˈsaɪtɪdli/ with an unstressed middle vowel or misplacing the primary stress, saying /ɪkˈsɪtɪdli/ or /ɪkˈsaɪtəl i/. Correction: keep the long /aɪ/ in the second syllable and articulate the /t/ clearly before the /ɪd/ cluster. Maintain a crisp /d/ and a light, quick /li/ ending instead of a dull final.
US: /ɪkˈsaɪtɪdli/ with rhotic vowel realization; UK: /ɪkˈsaɪ.tɪd.li/ and more clipped /d/ release; AU: /ɪkˈsai.tɪd.li/ with slightly broader vowels and a more even tempo. Differences mainly involve vowel quality, syllable linking, and post-vocalic consonant clarity. The rhoticity doesn’t dramatically alter 'excitedly' itself, but surrounding vowels may shift slightly in Australian accents.
Difficult because you juggle three vowels in four consonants across three syllables with a stressed syllable in the middle. The /aɪ/ diphthong in the second syllable requires precise tongue height and glide; the /t/ should be clearly released before the /ɪ/; and the final /dli/ sequence can blur if rushed. Practicing slow and marking the exact timing helps stabilize rhythm and stops.
A unique query: is the /tɪd/ a single consonant cluster or two? In excitedly, the sequence is typically a light /t/ release into /ɪ/ followed by a clear /d/ before the /li/ end, making it effectively a /tɪd/ cluster pronounced quickly rather than a full 'tid' blend. Focus on separating the /t/ and the /d/ just enough to keep the /ɪ/ crisp.
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- US: emphasize the rhotic clarity and keep the /aɪ/ diphthong steady; - UK: slightly crisper alveolar stop release, less vowel rounding; - AU: broader vowel colors and slightly more relaxed tempo; all share clear /t/ release before /ɪdli/. IPA guides: US /ɪkˈsaɪ.tɪd.li/; UK /ɪkˈsaɪ.tɪd.li/; AU /ɪkˈsaɪ.tɪd.li/.
Excitedly comes from the adjective excited, which derives from the Latin excitare, meaning to stir up, excite, or incite. Excite entered Middle English via Anglo-French exiter and Latin excitare, with senses tied to arousing strong feelings or attention. The suffix -ed forms the past participle excited and, when combined with the adverbial -ly, creates excitedly to describe the manner of an action. The core root excite emphasizes movement from a state of potential or calm into one of active emotion; over time, excitedly has consistently carried the sense of doing something with heightened emotion or rapid energy. First attested forms date to early modern English, aligning with the broader shift in adverb formation by adding -ly to adjectives to indicate manner. Usage historically centers on speech, performance, and expressive behavior, paralleling the growth of English expressive adverbs in narrative and dialogue.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "excitedly" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "excitedly" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "excitedly"
-dly sounds
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