3 syllables: no, ta, bly. Stress on no.
/ˈnoʊtəbli/
Say it backNotably means in a way that draws attention to a particular feature or fact; it is used to highlight something remarkable or noteworthy. The term conveys emphasis on specific attributes, events, or instances, signaling that the matter deserves special attention. In usage, it often introduces examples or observations that stand out within a broader discussion.
"The project has progressed notably since last year, with several milestones achieved ahead of schedule."
"Notably, the study found a significant correlation between the variables, even after controlling for confounding factors."
"Her performance improved notably after the coaching sessions, showcasing clear gains in accuracy."
Notably is pronounced /ˈnoʊ.tə.bli/ in US English and /ˈnəʊ.tə.bli/ in UK/Australian English. The primary stress falls on the first syllable: NOH- TAH- blee. The middle syllable is a light schwa, and the final -ly is a weak, unstressed syllable. Tip: say 'note' quickly, then add '-uh-blee' with a soft, quick 'uh' and a clear 'blee' ending.
Common errors include stressing the second syllable (no-TAY-bly) or merging it into one syllable (not-ably). To correct: stress the first syllable with a clear /ˈnoʊ/ or /ˈnəʊ/ and keep the middle as a quick schwa /tə/ before the final /bli/. Ensure a distinct /b/ onset before -li, not a //bl/ blend. Practicing with minimal pairs helps separate the syllables.
US: primary stress on first syllable /ˈnoʊ.tə.bli/ with a crisp /oʊ/. UK/AU: /ˈnəʊ.tə.bli/ or /ˈnəʊ.tə.bli/, with a slightly rounded /əʊ/ and less rhoticity in some speakers. In rhotic US, the r in the preceding word may influence preceding vowel length; however, notably itself remains non-rhotic. The final /bli/ tends to be syllabic but clearly enunciated in careful speech across all three regions.
The difficulty lies in maintaining the correct two closed consonant boundaries around the middle /tə/ and the final /bli/, and keeping primary stress on the first syllable while preserving a fluid overall rhythm. Non-native speakers often misplace the stress or run the syllables together. The quick /tə/ must remain a reduced vowel, and the /b/ should start the final syllable cleanly to avoid an intrusive vowel or blending.
Is the middle syllable always a true schwa in careful speech? No. In careful, careful pronunciation the middle vowel can be a reduced vowel like /ə/ or a light /ɪ/ depending on emphasis and speaker, but most followers default to /tə/ with a soft, neutral vowel. The key is keeping the 't' and 'b' consonants distinct and avoiding a silent middle vowel.
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Notably originates from notability, itself from notability (late 15th century), derived from notable (late Middle English) meaning 'worthy of notice' from Latin notabilis 'noteworthy, able to be known', from notare 'to mark, to note'. The suffix -ly turns the adjective into an adverb form to describe the manner in which something is noteworthy. The word entered English through the influence of Latin-based scholarly vocabularies in the late medieval to early modern periods, aligning with similar constructions such as 'remarkably' and 'prominently'. Over time, 'notably' has retained its core sense of emphasis and added a formal, academic tone to sentences, commonly found in journalism, scientific writing, and critical commentary.
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Words that rhyme with "notably"
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