SPEE-dee
/ˈspiˌdi/
speedy is pronounced SPEE-dee (/ˈspiˌdi/). Speedy is an adjective meaning quick or fast in movement or action. It often carries a casual tone, describing something done promptly rather than carefully. In pronunciation, it is a two-syllable word stressed on the first: SPee-dy, typically used in everyday conversation or informal writing.
Speedy is an adjective meaning quick or fast in movement or action. It often carries a casual tone, describing something done promptly rather than carefully. In pronunciation, it is a two-syllable word stressed on the first: SPee-dy, typically used in everyday conversation or informal writing.
"She gave a speedy response to the email."
"The firefighter carried the kitten to safety with speedy movements."
"We need a speedy delivery by tomorrow morning."
Pronounce as two syllables: /ˈspiː.di/. The stress is on the first syllable. Start with a strong 'sp' cluster, then a long /iː/ like 'pea', followed by a short, unstressed /ə/ or /ɪ/ in the second syllable. Tip: keep the mouth rounded slightly for the /iː/ and relax the jaw a bit for the second syllable. You’ll often hear it in rapid speech as /ˈspiːdi/ with a shorter second vowel.
Common errors: 1) Reducing /iː/ to a short /ɪ/ in the first syllable, making it sound like /ˈspɪ.di/. 2) Dropping the second syllable vowel or reducing it too much, producing /ˈspiːd/ without the final vowel. 3) Misplacing stress on the second syllable. Correction: maintain primary stress on the first syllable /ˈspiː.di/ and keep the second vowel clear but short. Practice with careful enunciation of /iː/ and a quick, light /ə/ in the second syllable.
US/UK/AU share /ˈspiː.di/ generally, but vowel quality can vary: US tends to light /ɪ/ or schwa in the second syllable; UK and AU may have a slightly more centralized or clipped second syllable. Rhotic influence is minimal in this word, so the /r/ isn't present. In fast speech, Australians may flatten the vowel more, producing a quicker /ˈspɪ.di/ variants, though standard IPA remains /ˈspiː.di/ across regions.
The difficulty centers on maintaining full /iː/ quality in the first syllable while keeping a short, crisp second syllable /di/ or /diɪ/ without adding a vowel between. The /iː/ is long and tense, which can encourage over-shortening, and the second syllable must stay light and unstressed to avoid sounding like 'speed' followed by extra syllables. Practicing with minimal pairs helps—listen for the distinct two-syllable rhythm.
Unique angle: is the final -y pronounced as a separate vowel or as part of the -y suffix? It is a separate vowel, typically /i/ in careful speech, making /ˈspiː.di/. In rapid speech, the second vowel can be shortened toward a schwa-like sound, but it remains phonemically /i/ in many dialects. Maintain the clear /iː/ in the first syllable and signal the second vowel lightly to avoid truncation.
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Speedy derives from speed, via the English suffix -y, which forms adjectives that express a characteristic or tendency. The root speed comes from Old English spede, related to Old Norse spǣd and Proto-Germanic spedą, all indicating success or rapid movement. The modern sense of speed as rapidity emerged in Middle English as speed became associated with the ability to accomplish tasks quickly. The affix -y began attaching to nouns to create adjectives in the 16th–17th centuries, signaling a characteristic or tendency (as in 'hairy', 'juicy' from 'juice'). In the case of 'speedy', the word entered common usage to describe things done in a short time frame or with haste, often with a slightly informal or affectionate nuance. First known uses appear in 17th–18th century English texts, with increasing usage in the 19th and 20th centuries as a general-purpose casual descriptor for prompt action or quickness.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "speedy" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "speedy" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "speedy"
-edy sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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