suhk-SES-fuh-lee
/səˈksɛsfəli/
successfully is pronounced suhk-SES-fuh-lee (/səˈksɛsfəli/). Successfully is an adverb meaning in a way that achieves a desired result or outcome. It often accompanies verbs of action and accomplishment, signaling that the action ended with a positive or intended effect. The pronunciation can carry a slight emphasis on the second syllable, reflecting its adverbial tone in fluent speech.
Successfully is an adverb meaning in a way that achieves a desired result or outcome. It often accompanies verbs of action and accomplishment, signaling that the action ended with a positive or intended effect. The pronunciation can carry a slight emphasis on the second syllable, reflecting its adverbial tone in fluent speech.
"She completed the project successfully and met all deadlines."
"The plan did not go as expected, but we still managed to conclude successfully."
"He spoke clearly, so the proposal was received as successfully persuasive."
Phonetic core: /səkˈses.fə.li/ in many varieties, with primary stress on the second syllable: sək-ˈSES-fə-lee. In careful speech you’ll articulate: /sə kˈsɛs fə li/ (US) or /sə kˈses fə li/ (UK). Pay attention to the /s/ + /k/ sequence, then a clear /ˈses/ cluster, followed by a light /fə/ and a final /li/. Visualize three cues: the first unstressed /ə/, a strong secondary beat on /ˈses/, and a light, quick ending /fə.li/.
Two frequent errors: (1) Misplacing stress on the first syllable instead of the second (suc-CESS-fully). (2) Slurring the -fully as -flee or -flee-lee, producing /səkˈsesfli/ or /səkˈsesfəli/ with an overly strong final syllable. Correction: keep primary stress on the second syllable, insert a crisp /f/ before the final /li/, and articulate /fə/ as a light, unstressed middle vowel. Practice with slow, deliberate syllable tapping: sə-kes-fə-lee.
US tends toward /səkˈses.fəl.i/ with a clearer /f/ before the final /li/ and a slightly tighter /ˈses/ cluster. UK often has a slightly more rounded and longer /ɒ/ or /ɒ/ influenced vowel in the first unstressed syllable but keeps /ˈses/ prominent; final /li/ remains light. Australian accents maintain /səkˈses.fə.li/ but with more vowel reduction in the first syllable and a sandier /l/ due to rhoticity differences. Key difference: rhotic vs non-rhotic and vowel quality in the first unstressed syllable.
It blends a multi-syllabic rhythm with rapid consonant clusters and a light, unstressed middle. The challenge lies in sustaining the /s/ + /k/ sequence, preserving the secondary stress on /ˈses/, and then delivering a clean /fə.li/ without vowel reduction that collapses the ending. Slow practice with phonetic cues helps: maintain a crisp /s/ release, articulate the /k/ before /s/, and finish with a distinct /li/ versus a softened /lɪ/.
Does the final -ly in successfully create a separate syllable or is it often merged with the preceding syllable in fluent speech? In careful speech you hear three clear syllables sək-ˈses-fə-ly, but in fast speech it can sound like /səkˈsesfli/ where the /ə/ before /li/ weakens. Aim to maintain four distinct phonotactic units in careful speech.
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Successfully comes from the adverbial form of success, which itself derives from Middle French succès and Latin successus, meaning a favorable result or achievement. The noun success entered English in the late Middle Ages, while its suffix -fully evolved as an English derivational suffix meaning “full of” or “characterized by.” The early uses framed success as an abstract noun; the adverbial form soon attached to verbs to describe the manner of achieving objectives. In modern English, successfully is the adverbial form of successful, which itself stems from Old French succès (success) and Latin successus (a following, progress, achievement). The evolution reflects a shift from the idea of “going toward a favorable outcome” to a precise descriptor of how an action is performed—“in a way that leads to success.” The word appeared in English texts with increasing frequency from the 16th century onward, paralleling the expansion of formal and bureaucratic language where outcomes and effectiveness were routinely evaluated. Today, successfully is a versatile word used across professional, academic, and casual registers to denote competent completion and favorable results.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "successfully" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "successfully"
-ely sounds
-ily sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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