2 syllables: joint, ly. Stress on joint.
JOYNT-lee
/ˈdʒɔɪntli/
jointly is pronounced JOYNT-lee (/ˈdʒɔɪntli/). It has two syllables (joint-ly), with the stress on "joint". Jointly refers to actions done together by two or more people or parties with a shared aim or agreement. It emphasizes collaboration, mutual responsibility, or combined effort, often in a formal or legal context. The term conveys that decisions, ownership, or actions are undertaken in concert, not individually.
Jointly refers to actions done together by two or more people or parties with a shared aim or agreement. It emphasizes collaboration, mutual responsibility, or combined effort, often in a formal or legal context. The term conveys that decisions, ownership, or actions are undertaken in concert, not individually.
"The two organizations jointly issued a statement condemning the policy."
"They will jointly fund the research project and share results."
"A lawsuit was filed jointly by the tenants and the landlord."
Pronounce as /ˈdʒɔɪntli/. Start with the diphthong /ɔɪ/ as in 'boy', then the /nt/ cluster, followed by a light /li/ ending. Primary stress is on the first syllable: JOINT-ly. Ensure the t is released crisply and the final /li/ is clear, not reduced to /lɪ/.
Two frequent errors are: (1) Deleting or softening the /t/ in the /nt/ cluster, which makes it sound like 'join-ly' or 'jo-in-ly'. Make sure to release the /t/ clearly between /n/ and /l/. (2) Misplacing the /l/—often people merge /tli/ into /tli/ too tightly or pronounce /t/ into /d/, producing a 'joint-lee' or 'join-dy' sound. Keep a crisp /t/ and a distinct /l/ for accuracy.
In US, UK, and AU, the initial /dʒ/ and /ɔɪ/ are consistent, but rhoticity affects following vowels only if followed by r; not applicable here. The main variance is vowel quality: US often has a fronter /ɔɪ/ and a quicker, flatter /ɪ/ transition; UK tends toward a slightly higher, clipped /ɔɪ/ and crisper /t/ release; AU may be slightly broader with a longer vowel before the /n/ and a more relaxed /li/. Overall, stress remains on first syllable.
The trickiness lies in the consonant cluster /ntl/ where the /t/ must be released cleanly before the /l/ for a smooth transition, and the /ɔɪ/ diphthong requires a precise tongue blade position. The sequence /nt/ can trap airflow, so you must push air through the oral cavity while maintaining the /l/ lateral action. Also, ensuring the final /li/ doesn’t reduce to /li/ or 'lee' requires controlled tongue height and a clear /l/ onset.
Yes. The stress is strictly on the first syllable: JOINT-ly. In connected speech, you often return to a mid or falling intonation after the phrase, especially in declaratives or conditional clauses: 'They will jointly... (fall)'. In rapid speech, syllables can slightly reduce, but do not drop the /t/ or the /l/ articulation. Maintaining the crisp onset of /dʒ/ and the diphthong helps the word remain unmistakable.
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Jointly derives from the adjective joint, meaning connected, combined, or shared. The Latin root is jungere, meaning to join, unite. The form -ly is a common English adverbial suffix that turns adjectives into adverbs, indicating manner or degree. The word appears in English by the late Middle Ages, evolving from phrases like in joint conjunctions to the consolidated adverb jointly. The semantic shift maintained the core idea of two or more elements acting together; the frequency of legal, contractual, or organizational contexts in the 17th–19th centuries reinforced its usage. First known uses appear in formal writings where parties are described as acting jointly in agreements or declarations, and over time it became a standard adverb for “in a joint manner.”
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "jointly" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "jointly" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "jointly"
-int sounds
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