2 syllables: sca, ly. Stress on sca.
SKAY-lee
/ˈskeɪ.li/
scaly is pronounced SKAY-lee (/ˈskeɪ.li/). It has two syllables (sca-ly), with the stress on "sca". Scaly is an adjective meaning covered in scales or having a rough, scale-like texture. It can also describe reptiles or skin that shows a scaly pattern. The term often carries a tactile or visual quality, implying dryness, roughness, or a pattern resembling scales.
Scaly is an adjective meaning covered in scales or having a rough, scale-like texture. It can also describe reptiles or skin that shows a scaly pattern. The term often carries a tactile or visual quality, implying dryness, roughness, or a pattern resembling scales.
"The lizard’s scaly skin glistened under the sun."
"She wore a scarf with a scaly, reptile-like print."
"The fish’s scaly armor protected it from the sharp rocks."
You say it as /ˈskeɪ.li/ with primary stress on the first syllable. The first vowel is a long A sound, like ‘ay’ in face, followed by a light schwa or /ɪ/ in the second syllable. Mouth positioning is a wide opening for /eɪ/ then a quick, relaxed /li/. Audio references: consider listening to native speakers on Pronounce or Forvo to hear the cadence.
Two frequent errors: (1) underpronouncing the /eɪ/ as a short vowel, giving /ˈsɛl.i/ instead of /ˈskeɪ.li/. Ensure you glide from /eɪ/ to the following syllable. (2) misplacing the stress, saying /sˈkeɪ.li/ or spreading stress evenly. Keep primary stress on the first syllable. Practice by isolating /ˈskeɪ/ then attaching /li/ with a quick, light release.
In US, UK, and AU, the /ˈskeɪ.li/ core is consistent; key differences lie in rhotacism and vowel quality: US tends to rhoticity in connected speech, but /skeɪ/ remains stable. UK speakers may have crisper /eɪ/ with less vowel length variation; AU often features slightly higher, more centralized vowels in rnajo contexts but /skeɪ.li/ remains clear. Pay attention to linking: US may link /skeɪ/ and /li/ more for rapid speech.
The difficulty centers on producing a clean /eɪ/ diphthong followed by a short, light /li/ without intrusive schwa. People often compress /eɪ/ into /e/ or insert a stronger /ə/ between syllables. Also, transition between the vowel and the /l/ can be slippery if you don’t position the tongue for the lateral approximant. Focus on a clear glide from /eɪ/ into /l/.
A scaly-specific nuance is the tension between a long, precise /eɪ/ glide and the following light /li/. The second syllable should be quick and unstressed, almost a relief consonant sound. Ensure the /l/ is a clear light contact with the alveolar ridge and the tongue tip rests near the lower teeth, avoiding an over-emphasized /l/ that slows the word.
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The word scaly comes from the Middle English scalen, which itself derives from the Old Norse skala, related to the concept of scales or scale-like structures. The sense evolved from describing physical coverings or armor to applied texture and appearance in skin and other surfaces. The root implies a division into small, flat pieces resembling fish or reptile scales. By the late Middle English period, scaly described both literal scale-bearing surfaces (e.g., fish or reptiles) and more generalized, textured appearances. In modern usage, scaly often emphasizes tactile texture (rough, dry, overlapping plates) and, metaphorically, patterns or designs that resemble scales. First known uses appear in medical and natural history contexts where anatomy or zoology described skin or integumentary features, then expanding to clothing or decorative patterns that mimic scaly textures. The evolution reflects a broader tendency in English to adopt technical terms into descriptive language for everyday phenomena, while retaining the precise imagery of overlapping plates and ridges that scales convey.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "scaly" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "scaly" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "scaly" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "scaly"
-lly sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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