ik-STUR-nuh-lee
/ɪkˈstɝnəli/
externally is pronounced ik-STUR-nuh-lee (/ɪkˈstɝnəli/). Externally means toward or relating to the outside of something. In usage, it describes actions, appearances, or considerations that are outside or external to a system, organization, or body. The term often contrasts with internally focused aspects and is common in technical, formal, and analytical writing.
Externally means toward or relating to the outside of something. In usage, it describes actions, appearances, or considerations that are outside or external to a system, organization, or body. The term often contrasts with internally focused aspects and is common in technical, formal, and analytical writing.
"The project was evaluated externally by an independent auditor."
"Externally visible signs of the disease prompted an urgent medical check."
"The organization faced external pressure from stakeholders and policymakers."
You say /ɪkˈstɜːrnəli/ (US/UK) or /ɪkˈstɜːnəli/ (AU). The primary stress is on the second syllable: ex-TERN-al-ly. Start with a light /ɪ/ vowel, then /k/ + /ˈstɜːr/ (the /ɜːr/ rhotic vowel in US; non-rhotic UK often realizes as /ˈstɜːn/), followed by /nə/ or /nli/ depending on speed, and end with a clear /li/ or /liː/. Keep the final -ly as a quick, clean syllable rather than a heavy, drawn-out ending.
Common errors: (1) placing primary stress on the first syllable (ex-TERN-ally is correct); (2) slurring the /tɜːr/ into a quick /tə/ or mispronouncing the rhotic /ɜːr/ in rhotic accents; (3) dropping or reducing the -ly too much, making it sound like /-li/ or /-li/ quickly. Correction: emphasize the second syllable with steady /ɜːr/ (US) or /ˈtɜːn/ (UK non-rhotic variants), then clearly articulate the /n/ and final /li/. Practice slow, then speed up. Use minimal pairs like external vs externally to hear the stress shift and syllable counts.
US: rhotic /ɜːr/ in the stressed syllable, often /ɪkˈstɜːrnəli/. UK: non-rhotic after consonants, so /ɪkˈstɜːnəli/ with a shorter r-like quality; AU: similar to UK but with slightly broader vowel qualities and smoother /ɜː/ diphthongs in some regions. The middle syllable vowel may be shorter in UK and AU. The final -ly is unstressed and quick in all, though Australians may maintain a bit more vowel duration in informal speech.
Two main challenges: (a) the shifted stress on the second syllable requires an intentional push of the /ˈstɜːr/ sequence, which is easy to flip to /ˈstɜː/ or /ˈstɜːrn/ without the proper vowel; (b) the /ɜːr/ or /˜ɜːr/ in the stressed syllable can be tricky for non-native speakers, especially when combined with the /n/ and the trailing -ly. Practice with isolated /ˈstɜːrn/ and slow articulation of the full word to stabilize the middle vowels and final sonority.
The sequence /t/ + /r/ can cause a hurried transition. Aim for a light, crisp /t/ release into a clear /ɜːr/ or /ˈtɜːr/ depending on accent. In US, allow the /r/ consonant to be slightly stronger; in UK, keep /t/ crisp but do not overemphasize the /r/ if non-rhotic; in AU, maintain clear /t/ with a smooth /r/ onset. Practice with /tɜːr/ in isolation before linking to the surrounding vowels for smooth articulation.
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Externally derives from the Latin prefix ex- meaning ‘out of’ or ‘from’ + externus meaning ‘external, outward’. The Latin externus itself comes from ex- ‘out’ and sternere ‘to lay down, spread out’ (hence outward or external). In English, extern- appeared in scientific and legal vocabulary in the 17th–18th centuries, aligning with the growing use of Latin-based terms in scholarly discourse. By the 19th century, “externally” as an adverb formed to describe actions or influences outside a system, body, or surface. The word’s semantic expansion tracks with fields that require contrast between outer and inner aspects—medicine, law, engineering, and social sciences—where external factors or external validity are contrasted with internal factors like internal mechanisms, internal consistency, or internal validity. The ending -ally is the adverbial suffix that converts adjectives like external into adverbial form, widely used in analytic writing to specify manner, extent, or relation to an exterior plane. First known use in print aligns with formal discourse emphasizing external rather than internal aspects, reflecting Enlightenment-era emphasis on outward observation and measurement. Today, externally is a stable, widely used term in academic, professional, and general contexts, frequently paired with nouns like audit, assessment, validity, and influence.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "externally" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "externally" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "externally"
-lly sounds
-als sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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