2 syllables: like, wise. Stress on like.
LEYE-kweyez
/ˈlaɪˌkwaɪz/
likewise is pronounced LEYE-kweyez (/ˈlaɪˌkwaɪz/). It has two syllables (like-wise), with the stress on "like". Likewise means in the same way; similarly. It is used to indicate agreement or to note that a statement applies to another person or situation as well. The word conveys mutual or parallel consideration and is commonly used in responses, formal writing, and conversational exchanges to acknowledge similarity or shared sentiment.
Likewise means in the same way; similarly. It is used to indicate agreement or to note that a statement applies to another person or situation as well. The word conveys mutual or parallel consideration and is commonly used in responses, formal writing, and conversational exchanges to acknowledge similarity or shared sentiment.
- Common challenge: two successive /aɪ/ diphthongs in /ˈlaɪkˌwaɪz/ can cause a gliding error; keep the second /aɪ/ distinct from the first by placing a small pause and ensuring the /k/ releases clearly before the /w/ onset. - Correction tips: practice slowly, break into solid chunks; say /laɪk/ in isolation, then /waɪz/ in isolation, then join with a light link. Use a metronome to maintain rhythm so you don’t squeeze the segments together. - Another trap: softening the /k/ into a /g/ or merging /waɪz/ with /laɪ/; ensure final consonant release is crisp, then glide into the /w/ onset. - Work on minimal pairs to internalize the two nuclei: /laɪk/ vs /laɪ/; /waɪz/ vs /waɪ/; practice with context sentences to reinforce natural cadence.
"I enjoyed the concert, and likewise, my friends did as well."
"If you’re finishing late, I’ll stay and help you; likewise, if I finish early, I’ll swing by."
"She praised the team, and the coach likewise thanked the supporters."
Pronounced /ˈlaɪkˌwaɪz/. The primary stress is on the first syllable: LIK. The second syllable is /waɪz/ like “wise.” Keep the /aɪ/ diphthong in both syllables, with a clear boundary between /laɪk/ and /waɪz/. The mouth starts rounded, then opens into a wide jaw for the first diphthong, and the second syllable uses a high-front glide into /aɪ/. In connected speech, it’s a quick two-beat word: /ˈlaɪkˌwaɪz/.
Common errors include reducing the /laɪk/ to a shorter /lɪk/ or misplacing the secondary stress on the second syllable. Another frequent slip is blending /laɪk/ with /waɪz/ into a single ambiguous vowel. Correct by ensuring the first syllable remains /laɪk/ with a strong diphthong, then a distinct /waɪz/ with a crisp onset. Practice the two-syllable rhythm separately: /laɪk/ + /waɪz/, then connect. Use a brief pause between syllables in careful speech.
In US, UK, and AU, /ˈlaɪkˌwaɪz/ stays consistent in primary stress and overall segmental makeup, but vowel quality can shift slightly: Americans may have a slightly more open /aɪ/ in both syllables; Brits may show a marginally tighter jaw and crisper /waɪ/; Australians often exhibit a more centralized vowel in the second syllable with a relaxed /ɪ/. The rhoticity does not alter the word, but neighbouring vowels may vary in length and rounding. All three share the same basic rhythm: strong first syllable, lighter second.
The challenge lies in maintaining equal prominence of two consecutive, high-front diphthongs: /laɪk/ and /waɪz/. Both contain the /aɪ/ nucleus, so speakers often compress or merge them. Additionally, the /k/ at the end of the first syllable and the /w/ onset of the second require precise tongue transitions: light contact with the soft palate for /k/ and a smooth /w/ onset. Keeping the two syllables distinct yet fluid is key to natural pronunciation.
Is the second syllable ever pronounced with a reduced vowel in rapid speech?
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "likewise"!
US: /ˈlaɪkˌwaɪz/ with a clear /ɪ/ in the first diphthong and a mild, non-rolled /r/ absent. UK: similar but with a slightly shorter /aɪ/ vowel and crisper /waɪz/ onset; AU: tends toward a slightly more centralized vowel in second syllable and a less pronounced /z/ sometimes approaching a /s/ in rapid speech. Across all, note rhoticity is not relevant here; the /r/ is not pronounced. Focus on the stability of the two /aɪ/ sounds and the clean /k/ release before /w/.
Likewise derives from Old English līceles, related to similarly-originated forms in early Germanic languages, but its current sense crystallized in the Middle English period. The element lik- stems from lîc, meaning body or form, tied to likeness and resemblance, while -wise is a suffix meaning manner or direction (as in otherwise, otherwise). The semantic development progressed from a literal sense of ‘in the manner of’ to a broader adverbial use signaling similarity or agreement. The earliest attestations of a word with this functional sense appear in Middle English legal and literary texts, where writers used phrases equivalent to “in like manner” to draw parallels or extend propositions. Over centuries, the usage broadened into everyday speech, especially in polite discourse and formal writing, to acknowledge parallel sentiment or conditions without repetition. In modern English, likewise is a versatile adverb or discourse marker frequently paired with verbs like do, be, or phrases like “as well,” functioning as a polite bridge to introduce a corresponding action or feeling in another subject. First known use as a distinct adverbial marker appears in late Middle English manuscripts, with stable spelling and pronunciation converging toward today’s form by Early Modern English. Its phonology settled around /ˈlaɪkˌwaɪz/ in general use, though regional pronunciation has subtle variations in vowel duration and stress across dialects.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "likewise" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "likewise" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "likewise" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "likewise"
-ize sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
