5 syllables: in, tel, li, gen, tly. Stress on tel.
in-TEL-ij-uhnt-lee
/ˌɪˈntɛlɪdʒəntli/
intelligently is pronounced in-TEL-ij-uhnt-lee (/ˌɪˈntɛlɪdʒəntli/). It has five syllables (in-tel-li-gen-tly), with the stress on "tel". Intelligently describes acting with good judgment or using knowledge effectively. It implies thoughtfulness and keen mental application, often reflected in careful reasoning, planning, or methodical execution. In discourse, it signals that outcomes are achieved through informed, discerning thought rather than blind effort.
Intelligently describes acting with good judgment or using knowledge effectively. It implies thoughtfulness and keen mental application, often reflected in careful reasoning, planning, or methodical execution. In discourse, it signals that outcomes are achieved through informed, discerning thought rather than blind effort.
"She invested the funds intelligently, balancing risk with potential return."
"Intelligently designed software adapts to user behavior."
"He spoke intelligently about climate policy, citing data and expert studies."
Say in·tel·li·gent·ly with primary stress on the second syllable: in-TEL-li-gent-ly. IPA (US/UK/AU): ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəntli across dialects; stress pattern stays the same. Begin with a short 'ih' sound, then a clear 'tel' as in tell, followed by a soft 'i' before the 'gent' chunk, and finish with a light 'ly'. For audio reference, search pronunciations on reputable dictionaries or Forvo using the IPA cue ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəntli.
Two frequent errors: (1) Misplacing stress, saying in·TEL·li·gently or in·tel·LI·gent·ly; ensure primary stress on the second syllable. (2) Slurring the 'dʒ' as in judge; pronounce it as the yod + ž sound in 'gent' (tɛlɪdʒənt). Practice separating the sequence: in- / tel- / li- / gent- / ly and keep the /dʒ/ intact rather than turning it into /j/ or /ʒ/.
US pronunciation typically = ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəntli with rhotic-like 'r' none; UK and AU share ɪnˈtelɪdʒəntli but vowel quality shifts: UK may reduce the first vowel slightly and AU may have a more centralized vowel in some speakers. The 'tel' vowel is often a short e, but dialects differ in rhoticity and vowel length; primary stress remains on the second syllable across these varieties.
It blends a cluster of consonants after a stressed syllable, including the 't' followed by 'l' and the 'dʒ' sound. The 'lent' sequence can shift into a light, almost palatal affricate, and the trailing 'ly' requires a quick yet relaxed yod sound. Coordinating the mid-vowel sounds across 'tel' and 'gent' while maintaining even syllable timing demands precise tongue position and breath control.
Intelligently has no silent letters; every letter typically participates in a sound: i-n-t-e-l-l-i-g-e-n-t-l-y. The challenge is not silence but the sequence: 'tel' and the 'g' before 'e' yields the dʒ sound; the final 'ly' is a separate syllable with a light 'l' plus 'ee' quality in 'ly' sound. Pay attention to the 'g' following 'n' forming the /dʒ/ sound.
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Intelligently comes from the adjective intelligent, formed in English in the 16th–17th centuries from Latin intelligent-, intelligent- from intelligere, meaning 'to understand, comprehend, perceive.' intelligere itself is a combination of inter- 'between' or 'within' plus legere 'to choose, to read, to pick up.' The suffix -ly attaches to form adverbs in English. The semantic shift emphasizes the manner of cognition: doing things in a way that shows understanding, insight, or sound judgment. Early uses treated intelligence as a quality of mind; by the 1800s, intelligently surfaced in scientific and philosophical prose to describe actions performed with clear understanding. Over time, the word broadened to general evaluative contexts beyond mere intellect, encompassing practical reasoning, strategic thinking, and informed decision-making. In contemporary usage, it frequently accompanies actions and analyses, signaling that outcomes are guided by knowledge, logic, and careful consideration rather than chance. There are closely related forms such as intelligent (adjective) and intelligence (noun), all sharing the Latin root and evolving alongside modern discussions of cognition, information processing, and rational behavior.
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Words that rhyme with "intelligently"
-tly sounds
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