4 syllables: Lit, er, al, ly. Stress on Lit.
LIT-ur-uh-lee
/ˈlɪɾɚəli/
Literally is pronounced LIT-ur-uh-lee (/ˈlɪɾɚəli/). It has four syllables (Lit-er-al-ly), with the stress on "Lit". Literally is an English adverb (colloquially used as an intensifier) meaning in a literal sense or, more broadly, very or actually. Traditionally it signals factual accuracy, but in casual speech it often emphasizes exaggeration. The term originated from the concept of literal meaning, yet modern usage frequently departs from strict truth, especially in informal dialogue.
nounLiterally is an English adverb (colloquially used as an intensifier) meaning in a literal sense or, more broadly, very or actually. Traditionally it signals factual accuracy, but in casual speech it often emphasizes exaggeration. The term originated from the concept of literal meaning, yet modern usage frequently departs from strict truth, especially in informal dialogue.
- You often drop the schwa in the second syllable or compress to “lit-raly,” causing uneven rhythm. Focus on four-mora timing: LI-tə-ra-ly; keep /tə/ as a quick, relaxed vowel. - Final -ly is commonly shortened; practice with a light, quick /li/ to avoid a trailing ‘y’ sound. - Slurring the middle vowels into one sound; maintain distinct /tə/ and /rə/. Use minimal pairs to fix: lit-er-ly vs lit-rally not formed, etc.
"She literally ran five miles to catch the bus."
"He literally stopped breathing when he saw the surprise."
"The bag literally weighed a ton after the rain."
Pronounce as /ˈlɪtərəli/ (US) or /ˈlɪtərəli/ (UK). Primary stress on LI-, then three light syllables: li-te-ra-ly with a schwa in the second and third syllables. Shape the mouth to start with a short, crisp L followed by /ɪ/; the middle syllable uses a schwa /ə/; end with /li/ or /əli/. You’ll hear a quick, even rhythm in natural speech. Audio reference: try Cambridge or Oxford dictionaries’ audio; you can also search pronunciation samples on Forvo or YouGlish for native context.
Common errors: (1) omitting the schwa in the second syllable, producing /ˈlɪtərəli/ with an uneven vowel. (2) Tensing the final -ly into a strong /li/ rather than a light /li/ or /li/; keep a light, unstressed ending. (3) Slurring into two syllables as li-te-rly instead of four distinct units; maintain four beats with clear vowel boundaries. Practice by isolating each syllable: LI- (stressed), tə (schwa), -rā- (unstressed), ly (light /li/).
US tends to a strong first-syllable stress with a full /ɪ/ and a clearer /ə/ in the middle; rhotic American speakers may show subtle rhoticity in the middle. UK speakers often reduce the middle vowel slightly and glide to a lighter /ə/, with non-rhotic tendencies—though in fast speech the /r/ may be barely audible. Australian pronunciation resembles UK with a broader vowel in the first syllable and a more relaxed final /li/. Always aim for /ˈlɪtərəli/ in careful speech across accents, while letting rhythm determine the pace in casual talk.
The difficulty lies in the multisyllabic rhythm and the quick, precise vowel transitions: two unstressed syllables between the stressed onset and final syllable, plus the /ə/ schwa that can vanish in rapid speech. Speakers often merge /tə/ into a syllabic /t/ or compress е into /tərli/. Additionally, the final -ly ending is often pronounced lighter than expected. Focusing on distinct syllable demarcation and clear, brief schwa helps maintain accuracy across rapid phrases.
Is the middle syllable always a schwa, or can it be a reduced /ə/ or /ɜː/? In careful articulation, the second syllable is typically a neutral schwa /ə/; in some speakers it reduces to a very light /ɜː/ or even a near-schwa depending on pace. The key is balancing the tempo so the 'lit'-'ə'-'rə'-'ly' sequence remains even. Focus on keeping the second syllable less prominent than the first, and ensuring the final -ly lands as a light, almost inaudible /li/.
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- US: Keep stronger /ɪ/ in the first syllable, pronounce /tə/ as a clear schwa; non-rhoticity is less relevant. - UK: Emphasize a crisp /ˈlɪtə(r)əli/ with a slightly more pronounced /ə/ in the second syllable; final /li/ should be light. - AU: Similar to UK but with a flatter, broader vowel in the first syllable and a relaxed /ə/ in the middle. IPA references: /ˈlɪtəɹəli/ US, /ˈlɪtə(r)əli/ UK, /ˈlɪtəɹəli/ AU. - Pay attention to rhythm: stress the first syllable, while keeping the rest fast and light.
Literally derives from the Latin word literally from Latin literalis, meaning pertaining to letters (littera). The root littera refers to letter or writing, signifying something in accord with its literal or written sense. In Middle English, literal senses began to converge with ‘in the strict sense’ through Latin influence in scholastic usage. By the 16th century, literally primarily described something in a strict, letter-perfect sense. In colloquial modern English, the adverb has broadened metaphorically as an intensifier, often not aligned with a literal meaning, with notable popularization in 20th-century media and everyday speech. The shift from literal sense to emphatic colloquial usage marks a significant semantic drift, culminating in widespread adoption as a flexible intensifier in informal registers. First known uses appear in translations and scholastic glosses that discuss literal meaning, gradually expanding to general usage in English literature and speech. Today, literally is ubiquitous in both spoken and written English, though its non-literal use remains a common source of debate among prescriptivists.
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Words that rhyme with "Literally"
-ely sounds
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